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.

Track your reading online

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

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

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...

Tweens Kids Families Arts & Crafting

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 3:00pm

Teen Center

What is bad can be good? Especially when it comes to art, beauty and talent may be subjective, but we’re purposely going for bad! We’ll share some prompts to get you going but you’ll ultimately be creating a true monsterpiece.

Teens Arts & Crafting

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...

Adults Book Discussion

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...

Tweens Kids Families

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

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 - 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

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...

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 3:00pm

Teen Center

What is bad can be good? Especially when it comes to art, beauty and talent may be subjective, but we’re purposely going for bad! We’ll share some prompts to get you going but you’ll ultimately be creating a true monsterpiece.

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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

There are no upcoming events.