Summer Reading Program

Bright and colorful icons like a rainbox, books, balloon, paintbrushes surrounding Summer Reading Program text

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.

Track your reading online

If you have time for a quick question, let us know how did you hear about the summer reading program?

Downloads

Resources

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

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - 1:00pm

Teen Center

As part of our partnership with Bur Oak, Next Gen Land Stewards are invited to learn about pollinators and the importance of keeping them hydrated during the hottest summer months. Then, assemble a bee drinking fountain.

Teens Classes & Workshops Science & Technology

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...

Adults Teens Tweens Kids Music

Wednesday, July 9, 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...

Tweens Science & Technology
Image says the name Duke Otherwise

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Clever Lyrics. Superb Music. Outrageous Fun for All Ages. With his guitar, tap shoes, and distinct baritone, Duke Otherwise sings his hilarious and imaginative songs for all ages to delight in together. Duke is a playful Wordsmith. A spirited...

Tweens Kids Families Music
Image says the name Duke Otherwise

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 1:00pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Clever Lyrics. Superb Music. Outrageous Fun for All Ages. With his guitar, tap shoes, and distinct baritone, Duke Otherwise sings his hilarious and imaginative songs for all ages to delight in together. Duke is a playful Wordsmith. A spirited...

Tweens Kids Families

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 1:00pm

Teen Center

Everything is better teeny! Compete for the cutest clay creation ever. We’ll have a series of challenges and winner gets a teeny clay trophy.

Teens Arts & Crafting

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 4:00pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Roughly translated as "cuteness," kawaii describes the Japanese cultural trend of celebrating all things tiny and adorable. Join children's librarian Casey for a tutorial and experiment with drawing your favorite Pokemon characters...

Tweens

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 10:30am

Children's 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...

Kids Families Storytimes

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 1:00pm

Storytime Room

Shy girl Ruby Gillman learns that she comes from a fabled royal family of legendary sea krakens and that her destiny lies in the depths of the waters, which is bigger than she could have ever imagined. Take a break from the summer sun and join us...

Tweens Kids Families Movies

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 1:00pm

Teen Center

Charlotte Hilker will be leading a philosophy class aimed at increasing cognitive ability, enhancing social skills and supporting emotional well-being. Oh, and it’ll be really fun! This is a series, but you're welcome to attend one or all...

Teens

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - 1:00pm

Teen Center

As part of our partnership with Bur Oak, Next Gen Land Stewards are invited to learn about pollinators and the importance of keeping them hydrated during the hottest summer months. Then, assemble a bee drinking fountain.

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 9, 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, July 10, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Image says the name Duke Otherwise

Clever Lyrics. Superb Music. Outrageous Fun for All Ages. With his guitar, tap shoes, and distinct baritone, Duke Otherwise sings his hilarious and imaginative songs for all ages to delight in together. Duke is a playful Wordsmith. A spirited...

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 1:00pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Image says the name Duke Otherwise

Clever Lyrics. Superb Music. Outrageous Fun for All Ages. With his guitar, tap shoes, and distinct baritone, Duke Otherwise sings his hilarious and imaginative songs for all ages to delight in together. Duke is a playful Wordsmith. A spirited...

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 1:00pm

Teen Center

Everything is better teeny! Compete for the cutest clay creation ever. We’ll have a series of challenges and winner gets a teeny clay trophy.

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 4:00pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Roughly translated as "cuteness," kawaii describes the Japanese cultural trend of celebrating all things tiny and adorable. Join children's librarian Casey for a tutorial and experiment with drawing your favorite Pokemon characters...

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 10:30am

Children's 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...

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 1:00pm

Storytime Room

Shy girl Ruby Gillman learns that she comes from a fabled royal family of legendary sea krakens and that her destiny lies in the depths of the waters, which is bigger than she could have ever imagined. Take a break from the summer sun and join us...

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 1:00pm

Teen Center

Charlotte Hilker will be leading a philosophy class aimed at increasing cognitive ability, enhancing social skills and supporting emotional well-being. Oh, and it’ll be really fun! This is a series, but you're welcome to attend one or all...

There are no upcoming events.

There are no upcoming events.

There are no upcoming events.

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 10:30am

Children's 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, August 13, 2025 - 10:30am

Children's 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...

Friday, August 15, 2025 - 10:30am

Children's 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...