In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Summer Reading Program
Color our world this summer
May 27 - August 9, 2025
Stay busy this summer reading and attending events!
Available to readers of all ages and abilities, babies through adults. Participants will receive a gamecard to track their summer reading goals.
Prizes available starting Monday, June 9, 2025. Children's prizes include gift certificates for Blank Park Zoo and the Iowa Children's Museum as well as a free book! Adults and teens can get a coupon for a free book at The Book End bookstore and be entered into the grand prize drawings for a downtown gift card.
If you have time for a quick question, let us know how did you hear about the summer reading program?
Downloads
Resources
- Watch past programs on The Library Channel
- Learn how to log books with Beanstack's mobile app
Sponsors
A big thank you to the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation for sponsoring the prizes!
Color your world!
Upcoming Events
All library patrons, regardless of age or neurodiversity can participate in our Summer Reading Programs. We will be happy to customize reading programs and activities to meet the individual needs of our patrons. Please contact Angela Pilkington for more information.
Upcoming events
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 9:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Craft a bracelet, necklace or keychain made from your favorite book or series
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for LEGO Play! 暑期周一活动日：乐高 ¡Todos los lunes del verano tendremos juegos y actividades! ¡Acompáñanos hoy para jugar con LEGO!
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 3:30pm
Teen Center
Can you harmonize like Ariel, or hold that pitch-perfect note like Billie Eilish? Well even if you can’t, come and compete in our first ever karaoke. Winner receives a $10 gift card.
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Using Adobe Illustrator, turn the phrase of your choice into a striking and legible sign that could be held at a rally or posted in a window of your home. Illustrator has text features that go beyond ordinary, flat lines of text. You can warp...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Elementary-age kids are invited to join us each Tuesday at 1:00 to learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe they haven’t tried before! We have experts from the community here to teach you the basics! Librarian Casey will kick off the...
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Monday, June 9, 2025 - 9:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Craft a bracelet, necklace or keychain made from your favorite book or series
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for LEGO Play! 暑期周一活动日：乐高 ¡Todos los lunes del verano tendremos juegos y actividades! ¡Acompáñanos hoy para jugar con LEGO!
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 3:30pm
Teen Center
Can you harmonize like Ariel, or hold that pitch-perfect note like Billie Eilish? Well even if you can’t, come and compete in our first ever karaoke. Winner receives a $10 gift card.
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Using Adobe Illustrator, turn the phrase of your choice into a striking and legible sign that could be held at a rally or posted in a window of your home. Illustrator has text features that go beyond ordinary, flat lines of text. You can warp...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Elementary-age kids are invited to join us each Tuesday at 1:00 to learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe they haven’t tried before! We have experts from the community here to teach you the basics! Librarian Casey will kick off the...
- 1 of 19
- next ›
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 9:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Using Adobe Illustrator, turn the phrase of your choice into a striking and legible sign that could be held at a rally or posted in a window of your home. Illustrator has text features that go beyond ordinary, flat lines of text. You can warp...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 7:00pm
Zoom
To celebrate Pride Month, tonight's discussion will focus on fiction with LGBTQUI+ characters. Both the Adult and Young Adult fiction collections contain many great LGBT books. Cheek out these lists for some suggestions: https://bookriot.com/...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Led by Amanda Cawthorn, a tribally-enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, learn what a powwow is and why they are important. Take in the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of an Oneida powwow as you explore different types of dance and...
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 12:00pm
Zoom
Not sure how you'll choose books for the Summer Reading Program? In a reading rut? We can help! Join Stacey to learn how to find read-alikes for books and authors you've loved in the library's catalog, digitally browse the newest...
Sunday, June 15, 2025 - 12:30pm
Digital Media Lab
For this 4-part series of workshops, we will explore tabletop game design! These are no-experience-required workshops that introduce attendees to making games with cards, dice, tokens, boards, or in the mind with plenty of rules! Part 2: Card games...
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Learn about lucha libre, the fast-paced, high-flying sport of Mexican professional wrestling, from Iowa's own masked lucha libre superstar, Latin Thunder! Latin Thunder will share stories, demonstrate some moves, answer questions, sign...
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 6:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join us to add some color to your world in the form of the nail polish of your dreams! We'll have supplies on hand, including suspension coats, liquid colors, powdered-mineral pigments, and sparkles and shimmers. We'll learn a little about...
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Monday, June 9, 2025 - 9:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 12:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
In the event of a life threatening emergency like choking, heart attack, or other serious injury, every minute counts. What do you do after calling 911? This 90-minute workshop with Paramedics from the Johnson County Ambulance Service could help...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Craft a bracelet, necklace or keychain made from your favorite book or series
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 3:30pm
Teen Center
Can you harmonize like Ariel, or hold that pitch-perfect note like Billie Eilish? Well even if you can’t, come and compete in our first ever karaoke. Winner receives a $10 gift card.
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Using Adobe Illustrator, turn the phrase of your choice into a striking and legible sign that could be held at a rally or posted in a window of your home. Illustrator has text features that go beyond ordinary, flat lines of text. You can warp...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Check out PS1’s rad new(ish) mobile printing press. Staff will walk you through creating your own unique design. PUBLIC SPACE ONE (PS1) is an artist-led, community-driven, contemporary art center. (They) aim to: • provide an independent, innovative...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 3:00pm
Teen Center
Learn a little about the history of this super popular drink, give a few samples a whirl, and whip-up your own signature flavor.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
As part of our partnership with Bur Oak, Next Gen Land Stewards are invited to learn about local reptiles with Extant Relatives. There are no requirements to become a Next Gen Land Steward, but if you attend more than four programs, you will...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 2:00pm
Teen Center
Craft a cool arachnid pal to glam up your room.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Elementary-age kids are invited to join us each Tuesday at 1:00 to learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe they haven’t tried before! We have experts from the community here to teach you the basics! Librarian Casey will kick off the...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Color our world, and celebrate diverse cultures from around the globe! Every Wednesday during our Summer Reading Program, elementary-age kids are invited to join us for a new event where they can explore and experience unique cultures and traditions...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Led by Amanda Cawthorn, a tribally-enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, learn what a powwow is and why they are important. Take in the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of an Oneida powwow as you explore different types of dance and...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 4:00pm
Storytime Room
Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Wednesday from June 11 - July 16, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities about physics, the scientific study of matter and energy. Figure out how gravity works, experiment...
Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join circus performer Sam Rezz with her dazzling show of hula hoops, juggling, and more! People of all ages will enjoy the family-friendly entertainment and audience interaction in every show! From aerial and hula hoop to contact juggling and fire,...
Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join circus performer Sam Rezz with her dazzling show of hula hoops, juggling, and more! People of all ages will enjoy the family-friendly entertainment and audience interaction in every show! From aerial and hula hoop to contact juggling and fire,...
Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Tweens, dive into summer with a fin-tastic hangout involving sparkling ocean-themed slime; a sandy seaside message in a bottle; a beaded shell necklace; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style! This program is for kids in...
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Part man, part dog, all hero! Dog Man will be showing in the Storytime room! Take a break from the summer sun and join us every Friday for a matinee movie showing. 周五影院 - 《狗神》 每周五来到我们的日间影院，躲避一会儿盛夏的阳光吧！
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Elementary-age kids are invited to join us each Tuesday at 1:00 to learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe they haven’t tried before! We have experts from the community here to teach you the basics! Stevie Toomey, artist and owner...
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Color our world, and celebrate diverse cultures from around the globe! Every Wednesday during our Summer Reading Program, elementary-age kids are invited to join us for a new event where they can explore and experience unique cultures and traditions...
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Monday, June 9, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Monday, June 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for LEGO Play! 暑期周一活动日：乐高 ¡Todos los lunes del verano tendremos juegos y actividades! ¡Acompáñanos hoy para jugar con LEGO!
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Elementary-age kids are invited to join us each Tuesday at 1:00 to learn a little bit about a fun skill or hobby that maybe they haven’t tried before! We have experts from the community here to teach you the basics! Librarian Casey will kick off the...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Color our world, and celebrate diverse cultures from around the globe! Every Wednesday during our Summer Reading Program, elementary-age kids are invited to join us for a new event where they can explore and experience unique cultures and traditions...
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Led by Amanda Cawthorn, a tribally-enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, learn what a powwow is and why they are important. Take in the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of an Oneida powwow as you explore different types of dance and...
Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join circus performer Sam Rezz with her dazzling show of hula hoops, juggling, and more! People of all ages will enjoy the family-friendly entertainment and audience interaction in every show! From aerial and hula hoop to contact juggling and fire,...
Thursday, June 12, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join circus performer Sam Rezz with her dazzling show of hula hoops, juggling, and more! People of all ages will enjoy the family-friendly entertainment and audience interaction in every show! From aerial and hula hoop to contact juggling and fire,...
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summer Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. The Storytime librarian will vary each week, and every day is open to all ages! Catch the all-ages Thrilling Thursday programs...
- 1 of 11
- next ›
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Led by Amanda Cawthorn, a tribally-enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, learn what a powwow is and why they are important. Take in the vibrant colors, sounds, and tastes of an Oneida powwow as you explore different types of dance and...
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Learn about lucha libre, the fast-paced, high-flying sport of Mexican professional wrestling, from Iowa's own masked lucha libre superstar, Latin Thunder! Latin Thunder will share stories, demonstrate some moves, answer questions, sign...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that combines slow, graceful movements with deep breathing and meditation. It originated as a martial art but has evolved into a holistic exercise known for its health benefits. In this beginner-friendly...
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Known for her vibrant paintings of landscapes, plants, and animals, Maud Lewis' iconic folk art is celebrated around the world. In addition to creating paintings for sale, Lewis also covered the inside of her 100-square-foot tiny home with...
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Casey leads ukulele music, singing, instruments, and movement. All Abilities Club programs are designed for those who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities, offering an inclusive, lower-stimulation, and...
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Kathy and other volunteers from our local K9 Ambassador program, sponsored by the lowa City Dog Obedience Club, will use handpicked dogs to help teach attendees about dog safety and etiquette. Following an educational presentation, enjoy tricks and...
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Get hands-on with exciting science experiments led by the UI Science Booster Club! All Abilities Club programs are designed for those who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities, offering an inclusive, lower-...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Create your own unique, colorful bouquet of local blooms when Kara Krapfl of Lovely Bunches Farm teaches us the thoughtful, meditative art of flower arranging. All Abilities Club programs are designed for those who are neurodivergent, or who...
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
We’ll start with a dance party, including following along to “Just Dance” choreography on the big screen; then shift gears way down with some relaxing, sensory craft stations, including play-doh, coloring, and scratch art. All Abilities Club...