Tweens, dive into summer with a fin-tastic hangout involving sparkling ocean-themed slime; a sandy seaside message in a bottle; a beaded shell necklace; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style! This program is for kids in...
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. 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.
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!
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
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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, 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.
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Part man, part dog, all hero! Dog Man will be showing in the Storytime room! Take a break from the summer sun and join us every Friday for a matinee movie showing.
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 16, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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...
Monday, June 16, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for life-size 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...
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; a beaded shell necklace; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style! This program is for kids in...
Friday, June 13, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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, 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
Storytime Room
Part man, part dog, all hero! Dog Man will be showing in the Storytime room! Take a break from the summer sun and join us every Friday for a matinee movie showing.
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 16, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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...
Monday, June 16, 2025 - 1:00pm
Storytime Room
Every Monday in the summer we will be hosting games and activities! Join us today for life-size 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...
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Get hands-on with exciting science experiments led by the UI Science Booster Club! All Abilities Club programs are designed for those who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities, offering an inclusive, lower-...
Saturday, July 26, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Are you a dissectologist? Do you love jigsaw puzzles? Join ICPL's Summer Puzzle Palooza - a two-part Puzzle-centric event for adults. Part 1: The Puzzle Swap Doors open at 1:00pm. You're invited to bring up to 3 boxed puzzles ready to be...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Create your own unique, colorful bouquet of local blooms when Kara Krapfl of Lovely Bunches Farm teaches us the thoughtful, meditative art of flower arranging. All Abilities Club programs are designed for those who are neurodivergent, or who...
Thursday, July 31, 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...
Monday, August 4, 2025 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
The Cricut's precision cutting is a natural for making stencils. Many materials could be cut for different painting techniques: specialized Cricut stencil material, transparency plastic, cardstock, contact paper, or removable vinyl. In this...
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
We’ll start with a dance party, including following along to “Just Dance” choreography on the big screen; then shift gears way down with some relaxing, sensory craft stations, including play-doh, coloring, and scratch art. All Abilities Club...
Friday, August 8, 2025 - 6:30pm
Meeting Room A
Join us for a quick hour of trivia before or after dinner at a downtown restaurant or the Friday Night Concert Series! Test your knowledge against questions loosely based on our summer's “Color Our World” theme. For adults. Please register to...
Saturday, August 9, 2025 - 1:00pm
Meeting Room A
Shannon Downey (aka Badass Cross Stitch and author of Let's Move the Needle: an activism handbook for artists, crafters, creatives, and makers) will join us via Zoom on the big screen to share everything we need to know to start stitching staggering...
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Monday, June 23, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Create a gorgeous piece of jewelry around your favorite fandom.
Monday, June 23, 2025 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A
Back by popular demand, we'll have two very special guests for teens to meet and greet. Earl and Bootleg Benny will be here in all their llama glory as well as their human, Kahle who will be dispensing information about Prairie Patch Farms as...
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Design your own shoes with Sharpies. Express yourself with your own personalized kicks. Registration is required as we need to know the participants shoe size.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 3:00pm
Teen Center
Stacey will show us how to create beautiful butterflies out of a name or word.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
As part of our Next Gen Land Steward program, participants will learn about water quality and tests that scientists use to understand which chemicals our waterways contain. Spend an afternoon down by the creek and learn about testing water quality....
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 - 3:00pm
Teen Center
We’ll follow along with Creativebug to make these hanging mushroom ornaments.
Thursday, June 26, 2025 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
The Bike Library is an organization that empowers people to make bicycling a primary form of transportation in our community. Dustin, Bike Library youth coordinator person will be here to answer your biking questions and show you how to fix a flat.
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...
Friday, June 27, 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...
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...
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
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
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 - 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 - 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...
Tuesday, July 15, 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 made ice cream from...
Wednesday, July 16, 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...
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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...
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 - 10:30am
Storytime 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, 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...
Friday, June 27, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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...
Monday, June 30, 2025 - 10:30am
Storytime 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...
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!