Baltimore's Read to Reef Book Club Offers Free Aquarium Visits

The National Aquarium and Enoch Pratt Free Library partner to bring books to life for young readers.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 8:25pm

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The National Aquarium and the Enoch Pratt Free Library have launched the Read to Reef book club, which offers Baltimore-area children in fifth grade or younger free tickets to the aquarium if they read five books. The program, now in its 10th year, has brought over 25,000 kids and 98,000 people to the aquarium, enough to fill up Camden Yards twice.

Why it matters

The Read to Reef program encourages children's love of reading while allowing them to experience the wonder of the National Aquarium firsthand. It's a unique partnership that brings together literacy, education, and community engagement.

The details

Through the Read to Reef program, children can visit their local Enoch Pratt Free Library branch, show their library card, and pick up a bookmark. Once they've read five books, they can go online to reserve their free tickets to the National Aquarium. The aquarium features a variety of marine life, including stingrays, turtles, fish, and sharks, providing a thrilling experience for young visitors.

  • The Read to Reef book club is held twice a year, in March and October.
  • The program has been running for 10 years.

The players

National Aquarium

A major aquarium located in Baltimore, Maryland, featuring a variety of marine life and educational exhibits.

Enoch Pratt Free Library

The public library system serving Baltimore, Maryland, with multiple branch locations throughout the city.

Sarah Doccolo

The community programs manager at the National Aquarium.

Carly Reighard

The executive director of education and library services for the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

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What they’re saying

“Oh my gosh, it's such an honor to get to support that wonder, that awe when you first walk in and get to see a big shark or get to see a little shark.”

— Sarah Doccolo, Community Programs Manager, National Aquarium

“Baltimore area children in fifth grade or younger can stop by a local Enoch Pratt Free Library branch. When they show their library card, they pick up a bookmark, and once they've read five books, they can then go online to reserve their tickets or their entry to the National Aquarium.”

— Carly Reighard, Executive Director of Education and Library Services, Enoch Pratt Free Library

“We love hearing from children who come in and read a book about sharks or read a book about turtles and then have the opportunity to come into the aquarium and see those book characters come to life through their visit to the National Aquarium.”

— Carly Reighard, Executive Director of Education and Library Services, Enoch Pratt Free Library

What’s next

The Read to Reef book club will be held again in October 2026, with bookmarks available while supplies last.

The takeaway

The Read to Reef program is a unique partnership that encourages children's love of reading while providing them with the opportunity to experience the wonder of the National Aquarium. This initiative has had a significant impact, bringing tens of thousands of children and families to the aquarium and fostering a connection between literature and the real-world marine environment.