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...
Summer Reading Program
ICPL Reads
June 1 - August 5, 2023
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.
Sign up starting June 1.
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 ACT and the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation for sponsoring the prizes!
Come read with us!
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
Friday, June 2, 2023 - 10:30am
Online
The Iowa City Public Library has two sources for free ebooks and digital audiobooks: Libby and Hoopla. Join us for an overview of both! Libby and Hoopla are available to residents of Iowa City, University Heights, Hills, Lone Tree, and rural...
Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 11:00am
Bookmobile, Pedmall
The Arts, Books & Children (ABC) Day is a feast for kids and kids-at-heart! All ages will enjoy the kids activities located on the Pedmall as part of the Iowa Arts Festival! Produced by Iowa City Public Library, this is the official kickoff for...
Sunday, June 4, 2023 - 2:00pm
Storytime Room
All June long were making art inspired creatures we see a lot more in the summertime—bugs! Use a q-tip, and your fine motor skill to paint some dragonflies inspired by an art style called Pointillism, a technique of painting in which small, distinct...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 10:30am
Bookmobile, Willow Creek Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow Creek...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Show off your love of reading & appreciation for living in a City of Literature! Bring your own t-shirt, canvas bag, or other cotton/polyester item that needs a little embellishment. We'll provide an iron-on of our "Iowa City Reads...
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 10:30am
Storytime Room, Pedmall
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow Creek...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 10:30am
Bookmobile, Wetherby Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow Creek...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Wednesdays are for art, crafting, and sometimes making a bit of a mess! We’ll have a variety of trinkets and containers for you to create your very own fairy garden. No registration is needed but we do have a limited amount of supplies.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
On Wednesdays during our Summer Reading Program, join us for a different event every week to broaden our knowledge of cultures around the world! Jegichagi is a Korean traditional outdoor game in which players kick a paper jegi into the air and...
- 1 of 20
- next ›
Thursday, June 1, 2023 - 12:00pm
Online
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...
Friday, June 2, 2023 - 10:30am
Online
The Iowa City Public Library has two sources for free ebooks and digital audiobooks: Libby and Hoopla. Join us for an overview of both!
Libby and Hoopla are available to residents of Iowa City, University Heights, Hills, Lone Tree, and...
Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 11:00am
Bookmobile, Pedmall
The Arts, Books & Children (ABC) Day is a feast for kids and kids-at-heart! All ages will enjoy the kids activities located on the Pedmall as part of the Iowa Arts Festival! Produced by Iowa City Public Library, this is the official kickoff...
Sunday, June 4, 2023 - 2:00pm
Storytime Room
All June long were making art inspired creatures we see a lot more in the summertime—bugs! Use a q-tip, and your fine motor skill to paint some dragonflies inspired by an art style called Pointillism, a technique of painting in which small,...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 10:30am
Bookmobile, Willow Creek Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Show off your love of reading & appreciation for living in a City of Literature!
Bring your own t-shirt, canvas bag, or other cotton/polyester item that needs a little embellishment. We'll provide an iron-on of our "Iowa...
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 10:30am
Storytime Room, Pedmall
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 10:30am
Bookmobile, Wetherby Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Wednesdays are for art, crafting, and sometimes making a bit of a mess!
We’ll have a variety of trinkets and containers for you to create your very own fairy garden.
No registration is needed but we do have a limited amount of...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
On Wednesdays during our Summer Reading Program, join us for a different event every week to broaden our knowledge of cultures around the world!
Jegichagi is a Korean traditional outdoor game in which players kick a paper jegi into the air...
- 1 of 20
- next ›
Thursday, June 1, 2023 - 12:00pm
Online
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...
Friday, June 2, 2023 - 10:30am
Online
The Iowa City Public Library has two sources for free ebooks and digital audiobooks: Libby and Hoopla. Join us for an overview of both!
Libby and Hoopla are available to residents of Iowa City, University Heights, Hills, Lone Tree, and...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Show off your love of reading & appreciation for living in a City of Literature!
Bring your own t-shirt, canvas bag, or other cotton/polyester item that needs a little embellishment. We'll provide an iron-on of our "Iowa...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 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 the Johnson County Ambulance Service Paramedics could help you...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 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 the Johnson County Ambulance Service Paramedics could help you...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 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 the Johnson County Ambulance Service Paramedics could help you...
Monday, June 12, 2023 - 7:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Let's make temporary tattoos! Using the software and equipment in the Digital Media Lab, you'll leave with a temporary tattoo of whatever image you choose -- you may bring in a photo or illustration, or pick from thousands of options...
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - 7:00pm
Other
For our first Pride Month discussion will focus on fiction books with LGBTQIA+ characters or topics. Both the Adult and Young Adult fiction collections contain many great LGBT books. Check out these links for some recommendations:
...
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 - 6:00pm
Meeting Room D, Online
In honor of Juneteenth, the City of Iowa City Office of Equity and Human Rights and the Iowa City Public Library are hosting a virtual book discussion of How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by...
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 - 6:00pm
Other
As part of the Adult Summer Reading Program you can join us for special tour of The Iowa City Press Co-op. The Press Co-op is Public Space One (PS1)'s community-access print and book arts studio. They offer studio access and education in...
- 1 of 4
- next ›
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Show off your love of reading & appreciation for living in a City of Literature!
Bring your own t-shirt, canvas bag, or other cotton/polyester item that needs a little embellishment. We'll provide an iron-on of our "Iowa...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Wednesdays are for art, crafting, and sometimes making a bit of a mess!
We’ll have a variety of trinkets and containers for you to create your very own fairy garden.
No registration is needed but we do have a limited amount of...
Thursday, June 8, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Jonathan Sims is an artist, designer, comic creator, and illustrator living in Iowa City. A Coe College alum, he has exhibited his work at many comic book conventions and has been a guest speaker at The National Czech and Slovak Museum, The Iowa...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 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 the Johnson County Ambulance Service Paramedics could help you...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 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 the Johnson County Ambulance Service Paramedics could help you...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 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 the Johnson County Ambulance Service Paramedics could help you...
Friday, June 9, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Want to find out how you can become more involved in your community? Fridays we’ll connect you with awesome organizations who give back to their community and we’ll provide an hour of volunteer credit during this program you can count as...
Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Saturdays are for gaming. Each week we’ll feature a game and you’ll have the chance to compete for bragging rights and small prizes.
Sunday, June 11, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
During Sundays, the teen Space is unstaffed. Feel free to stop by to play board games, work on a project, or just hang out with friends.
Monday, June 12, 2023 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Momofuko Ando invented Chicken Ramen, the world’s first ramen in 1958, which evolved into Cup Noodles in 1971. We’ll tinker with preservation techniques including dehydration and sample different ramen flavors.
- 1 of 4
- next ›
Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 11:00am
Bookmobile, Pedmall
The Arts, Books & Children (ABC) Day is a feast for kids and kids-at-heart! All ages will enjoy the kids activities located on the Pedmall as part of the Iowa Arts Festival! Produced by Iowa City Public Library, this is the official kickoff...
Sunday, June 4, 2023 - 2:00pm
Storytime Room
All June long were making art inspired creatures we see a lot more in the summertime—bugs! Use a q-tip, and your fine motor skill to paint some dragonflies inspired by an art style called Pointillism, a technique of painting in which small,...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 10:30am
Bookmobile, Willow Creek Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow...
Monday, June 5, 2023 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Show off your love of reading & appreciation for living in a City of Literature!
Bring your own t-shirt, canvas bag, or other cotton/polyester item that needs a little embellishment. We'll provide an iron-on of our "Iowa...
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 10:30am
Storytime Room, Pedmall
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 10:30am
Bookmobile, Wetherby Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend, or you can watch the Storytime at the library on Tuesdays! We will be at Willow...
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
On Wednesdays during our Summer Reading Program, join us for a different event every week to broaden our knowledge of cultures around the world!
Jegichagi is a Korean traditional outdoor game in which players kick a paper jegi into the air...
Thursday, June 8, 2023 - 10:30am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
ICPL is excited to welcome International award-winning entertainer, juggler and acrobat Laura Ernst to Iowa City for a special SRP Kickoff event for all ages. Her performance will include her award-winning juggling, acrobatic hula hoops and her...
Thursday, June 8, 2023 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
World Languages Storytime is a new Summer Reading Program series that shares fascinating stories and some basic vocabulary in different languages. Join us every Thursday afternoon from June 8th to Aug. 3rd for a fun-filled bilingual storytime (in...
Thursday, June 8, 2023 - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
With this fun throwback craft from the 1980s, draw or trace any image onto a flexible plastic sheet, then bake it and watch it shrink down to 1/3 of its original size before your eyes! Make necklaces, keychains, or just little keepsakes using...
- 1 of 14
- next ›