Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for LEGO Play!
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.
If you have time for a quick question, let us know how did you hear about the summer reading program?
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!
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
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 - 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...
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.
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 - 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 - 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.
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
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...
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.
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 - 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 - 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.
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...
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 7:00pm
Zoom
The Iowa Writers Workshop began at the University of Iowa in 1936 and has produced many well known writers. In the last 80 years there are hundreds of published works by graduates of the Workshop in a wide range of genre. Pick some of your favorites...
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...
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Do you knit, crochet, spin, punch needle, embroider or do some other fiber arts activity? Bring your current work in progress and join us the last Thursday of each month for an evening of conversation and group crafting. Whether you're...
Saturday, June 28, 2025 - 10:00am
Other
As part of the "Color Our World" Summer Reading Program, the UI Stanley Museum of Art will be hosting a special version of their Blue Tour just for Adult Summer Reading Program participants. Surveys have shown that blue is the world's favorite...
Sunday, June 29, 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 3: Game boards...
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.
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 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Want to learn about becoming a more informed citizen and taking a more active role in our community? Ijeoma has extensive knowledge she’s willing to share. Ijeoma is a fourth-year Honors student and Advantage Iowa Scholar at the University of Iowa...
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Can you angst like Fall Out Boy, or hold that existential dreaded note like My Chemical Romance? Well even if you can’t, come and compete in our first ever karaoke contest. Winner receives a $10 gift card.
Saturday, June 14, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
The Gullah Geechee culture is unique to the African American experience. Learn about their legacy and enjoy a recipe inspired by this community.
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 - 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 19, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you'...
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you'...
Tuesday, June 24, 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! Mireu Martial Arts provides...
Wednesday, June 25, 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 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, June 25, 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 26, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Lindsay McDermott is a local reptile enthusiast who has a passion for sharing reptiles/invertebrates with children and families. Today she will bring several of her various lizards, snakes, arachnids and more to the library to get up close and...
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Lindsay McDermott is a local reptile enthusiast who has a passion for sharing reptiles/invertebrates with children and families. Today she will bring several of her various lizards, snakes, arachnids and more to the library to get up close and...
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...
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...
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you'...
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you'...
Monday, June 23, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today to play BINGO!
Tuesday, June 24, 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! Mireu Martial Arts provides...
Wednesday, June 25, 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 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...
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Lindsay McDermott is a local reptile enthusiast who has a passion for sharing reptiles/invertebrates with children and families. Today she will bring several of her various lizards, snakes, arachnids and more to the library to get up close and...
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Lindsay McDermott is a local reptile enthusiast who has a passion for sharing reptiles/invertebrates with children and families. Today she will bring several of her various lizards, snakes, arachnids and more to the library to get up close and...