This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Summer Reading Program
Adventure Begins at Iowa City Public Library
May 28 - August 10, 2024
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 3, 2024.
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!
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
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Explore something new each Wednesday in June. In its earliest days, furoshiki was used by noble families and feudal lords to wrap their clothes when visiting the public baths. We'll explore this sustainable practice, try out a few techniques...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
On Wednesdays during our Summer Reading Program, elementary-age kids are invited to join us for a different event every week to understand and experience cultures around the world! Embark on a journey into the mesmerizing world of stained glass with...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 3:30pm
Teen Center
Learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth as you sip on hibiscus tea, nibble on red velvet cake and barbeque food. We'll also look at African American music in America since emancipation and play a few rounds of trivia for prizes.
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Dino O'Dell, children's musician and author of Zar and the Broken Spaceship, will be blasting off with a musical dance party. Whether he's counting monsters, fixing spaceships or swimming in peanut butter, Dino's interactive...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 11:00am
Teen Center
This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Dino O'Dell, children's musician and author of Zar and the Broken Spaceship, will be blasting off with a musical dance party. Whether he's counting monsters, fixing spaceships or swimming in peanut butter, Dino's interactive...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Each Thursday in June, middle and high schoolers are invited to explore creativity through art, tech, design, and more. All supplies will be provided for this event and no experience is needed. This week, Environmental Educator, Amanda from Bur Oak...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A
Don't just learn science - DO science with the UI Science Booster Club! This event is for 3rd-6th graders. 与UI科学促进会一起动手进行科学实践， 面向3-6年级同学。
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Bring in a couple of your paperback books with misleading or unpleasant cover designs, and we'll create custom book jackets! After measuring your book, we'll use Canva to make a template you can fill with their clip art, background images you find...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 11:00am
Teen Center
This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Explore something new each Wednesday in June.
In its earliest days, furoshiki was used by noble families and feudal lords to wrap their clothes when visiting the public baths. We'll explore this sustainable practice, try out a few...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
On Wednesdays during our Summer Reading Program, elementary-age kids are invited to join us for a different event every week to understand and experience cultures around the world!
Embark on a journey into the mesmerizing world of stained...
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 - 3:30pm
Teen Center
Learn about the history and significance of Juneteenth as you sip on hibiscus tea, nibble on red velvet cake and barbeque food. We'll also look at African American music in America since emancipation and play a few rounds of trivia for...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Dino O'Dell, children's musician and author of Zar and the Broken Spaceship, will be blasting off with a musical dance party. Whether he's counting monsters, fixing spaceships or swimming in peanut butter, Dino's interactive...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 11:00am
Teen Center
This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Dino O'Dell, children's musician and author of Zar and the Broken Spaceship, will be blasting off with a musical dance party. Whether he's counting monsters, fixing spaceships or swimming in peanut butter, Dino's interactive...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Each Thursday in June, middle and high schoolers are invited to explore creativity through art, tech, design, and more.
All supplies will be provided for this event and no experience is needed.
This week, Environmental Educator,...
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A
Don't just learn science - DO science with the UI Science Booster Club!
This event is for 3rd-6th graders.
与UI科学促进会一起动手进行科学实践， 面向3-6年级同学。
Thursday, June 20, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Bring in a couple of your paperback books with misleading or unpleasant cover designs, and we'll create custom book jackets!
After measuring your book, we'll use Canva to make a template you can fill with their clip art, background images...
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Frosting and sprinkle choices will allow you to create a custom cookie to your taste! Then join in at craft stations including button making, beaded bracelet making, and more.
This program is intended for people of all ages who are...
Thursday, July 11, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Learn how to use the library's Photoshop subscription to correct lighting, repair imperfections, and remove unwanted objects from your photos.
Please register for a library computer with Photoshop or bring your own.
Instructor:...
Saturday, July 13, 2024 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C, Meeting Room D
Calling all nostalgic & fun grown-ups! Have you ever wished you could go back to Summer Camp? Here's your chance! Spend the day at the ICPL Adult Day Camp.
Your counselors Beth, Candice, Stacey and Mac will lead you thorough a...
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join Casey for ukulele music, singing, instruments, and movement.
This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities.
全能力俱乐部活动面向各年龄段智力或发育障碍群体。
...
Thursday, July 18, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Make a 3D piece of art using folded paper and the library's Cricut!
You'll have your choice of using this ready-made toadstool design or customizing your own design from scratch by attaching any shapes to the circular opening on each sheet...
Saturday, July 20, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Are you a dissectologist? Do you love jigsaw puzzles? Join ICPL's Puzzle Palooza - a two-part event for adults as part of the Adult Summer Reading Program. Doors open at 12:45.
The Puzzle Swap starts at 1:00pm. (Don't be late - swaps are...
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 - 7:00pm
Other
Movies are often based on books. Sometimes they are well done and fans of the book become fans of the film. Other times the words "based on a book" are little more than borrowing of the plot. Missing characters, changed endings or unrecognizable...
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 2:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
***TIME IS 2:00 PM! This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities.
You've just been recruited as a backup dancer for Taylor Swift's new tour...
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 6:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Delve into the world of fountain pens! Join us to try out different pens, nibs, inks, and papers. Newbies and enthusiasts are welcome, no registration necessary!
TRY THIS: Let us pique your curiosity with an array of fun activities and...
Thursday, July 25, 2024 - 6:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Do you knit, crochet, spin, punch needle, embroider? Bring your current project and join us the last Thursday of the month for an evening of conversation and fiber arts of all kinds. Whether you're new the hobby or a seasoned veteran, all...
Friday, June 21, 2024 - 11:00am
Teen Center
This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Friday, June 21, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A
We have a very special visitor from Prairie Patch Farm...a llama! Meet, greet, and learn about all things llama!
Friday, June 21, 2024 - 2:00pm
Teen Center
Every Friday throughout Summer, we'll explore food, create a recipe and watch a movie.
Food: Cheese Fries. Is butter a carb? Whatever, we're making cheese fries, inspired by Regina!
Get into character and read sample parts...
Saturday, June 22, 2024 - 2:00pm
Teen Center
At Silent Book Club, there's no assigned reading. All readers are welcome—ebooks, audiobooks, textbooks, comic books... it's BYOBook. We'll read in silence for 40 minutes, then snack and discuss all thing books. No pressure, just...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - 11:00am
Teen Center
This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Each Monday in June, middle and high schoolers have to opportunity to make something new.
All supplies are provided and no experience is necessary.
“Youth Djembe" is coming to the Iowa City Public Library!
Area youth will...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - 3:30pm
Teen Center
Each Thursday in June, middle and high schoolers are invited to explore creativity through art, tech, design, and more.
All supplies will be provided for this event and no experience is needed.
Create your own one-of-a-kind tattoo...
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Tuesdays in June are for healthy competition, co-operation, strategy, and innovation through console, table top, and good old fashioned board games.
Take part in a series of 60-second challenges and win mediocre prizes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 3:30pm
Other
Catch, hatch and trade Pokémon in the real world with other fans.
We'll meet in the Teen Space in the library, but will venture out around the city to build up our Pokédex.
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - 11:00am
Teen Center
This summer, take a dip into the realms of math, biology, chemistry, and astronomy! Our weekly program, tailored for middle and early high school students (grades 6 to 9), invites young minds to get excited about STEM and make friends through...
Friday, June 21, 2024 - 9:30am
Bookmobile, Mercer Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! Note the new Stories in the Park time at 9:30 to beat the midmorning heat! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend. We will...
Friday, June 21, 2024 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summertime Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 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 at...
Friday, June 21, 2024 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Take a break from the summer sun and join us every Friday for a matinee movie showing!
This third installment of the Trolls franchise finds friends Poppy and Branch as a couple. But as they get to know each other more, it is revealed that...
Sunday, June 23, 2024 - 2:00pm
Storytime Room
Join us to craft colorful fish using paper plates, paints, glitter, and more. Unleash your imagination and make a splash with your own underwater masterpiece!
Sunday Fun Days are suitable for all-ages, but younger children should make the...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - 9:30am
Bookmobile, Willow Creek Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! Note the new Stories in the Park time at 9:30 to beat the midmorning heat! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend! We will...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summertime Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 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 at...
Monday, June 24, 2024 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Our friends from snapshots literary magazine will be here to help us design our very own magazine in this special three week workshop. The first week we will work on the writing for the magazine, the second will be the art, and finally the third...
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 10:30am
Storytime Room
Join us in the Storytime Room for Summertime Storytime on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 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 at...
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A
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!
Learn Origami skills...
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - 9:30am
Bookmobile, Wetherby Park
Join us for Stories in the Park all summer long! Note the new Stories in the Park time at 9:30 to beat the midmorning heat! We will offer the same Storytime over the course of the week, so please choose one park location a week to attend. We will...