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...
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
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
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 - 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...
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; an upcycled, glowing coral reef craft; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style! This program is...
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...
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.
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 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
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...
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; an upcycled, glowing coral reef craft; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style! This program is...
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...
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.
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...
Monday, June 30, 2025 - 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, 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...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 7:00pm
Zoom
Book clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Groups that meet online (like Let's Talk Books) are all the rage, especially with celebrities. From Oprah's almost 30 year old book club, to Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson, Sara Jessica Parker, or...
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...
Saturday, July 12, 2025 - 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 through a bunch of...
Sunday, July 13, 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 4: Writing...
Monday, July 14, 2025 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Let’s play with photo coloring in Photoshop! - Try its AI-powered colorizing feature for vintage photos - Learn how to start with a modern color photo and make everything black and white except for the main subject Please bring digital photos you...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - 7:00pm
Zoom
Join us for ICPL's Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club! We will meet via Zoom to discuss "Some Desperate Glory" by Emily Tesh. Feel free to join us, whether or not you've finished the book! Borrow a copy of the book from ICPL or place a hold at search.icpl.org...
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 16, 2025 - 6:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Do you have a hard time choosing clothing because you're not sure what colors look good on you? Do you know if your skin tone has warm or cool undertones, or what that means? Learn how the basics of color theory can help you choose colors and...
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...
Monday, June 16, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Ever wondered how tortillas are made? Join Manny Galvez for an interactive class where you will learn the art of making fresh tortillas by hand. Discover the deep cultural roots of this staple in Mexican cuisine while shaping, pressing, and cooking...
Monday, June 16, 2025 - 3:00pm
Teen Center
Can you sizzle on the microphone like SZA, or rhyme as well as Kendrick? Well even if you can’t, come and compete in our first ever karaoke contest. Winner receives a $10 gift card.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
These are so adorable you’ll want to eat them…but don’t because they’re made of clay. They make a perfect gift or keep them all to yourself!
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 3:00pm
Digital Media Lab
Craft a one-of-a-kind vinyl photo frame with personalized pictures with the help of the Cricut.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Johnson County Ambulance will have qualified staff to cover ‘hands only’ CPR, AED instruction, stop the bleed, Narcan administration and an overview of the PulsePoint app. This will not result in certification.
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 - 3:00pm
Teen Center
This sustainable craft transforms old newspapers into adorable decorations. Creativebug will walk us through creating a super cute paper mache tray.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 3:00pm
Teen Center
Turn your favorite snack, local landmark, or object into Pop Art using Canva. No experience using Canva is needed.
Friday, June 20, 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...
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Are you a fan of Squishmallows, the plush toy that's loved the world over for being super soft, huggable, round, and adorable? Join us to make a piece of fan art celebrating Squishmallows at our painting party! Upon arrival, select from one of...
Tuesday, July 1, 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! Mark Capron, recent inductee into...
Wednesday, July 2, 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, 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 2, 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 3, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join Mike Schneider as he takes you on a musical, magical, and humorous journey around the world! Uncle Mike's music will have all ages singing, clapping, and dancing along to such polka-fied classics. But this program is so much more than just...
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join Mike Schneider as he takes you on a musical, magical, and humorous journey around the world! Uncle Mike's music will have all ages singing, clapping, and dancing along to such polka-fied classics. But this program is so much more than just...
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - 4:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Celebrate Disability Pride Month by learning about the life of Judith Scott, a renowned fiber sculptor who was Deaf and had Down Syndrome, then making a variety of fiber art pieces. We'll weave and wrap, cut and twist to create stunning art...
Tuesday, July 8, 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! Have you ever wanted to tell a...
Wednesday, July 9, 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...
Monday, June 30, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today to test your Disney knowledge!
Tuesday, July 1, 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! Mark Capron, recent inductee into...
Wednesday, July 2, 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, 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...
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join Mike Schneider as he takes you on a musical, magical, and humorous journey around the world! Uncle Mike's music will have all ages singing, clapping, and dancing along to such polka-fied classics. But this program is so much more than just...
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join Mike Schneider as he takes you on a musical, magical, and humorous journey around the world! Uncle Mike's music will have all ages singing, clapping, and dancing along to such polka-fied classics. But this program is so much more than just...
Monday, July 7, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for LEGO Play!
Tuesday, July 8, 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! Have you ever wanted to tell a...
Wednesday, July 9, 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, 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...