You need first-hand experience with AI to fully understand the hype! In this workshop, we'll generate text, images, and music with various online tools. You'll leave with a better ability to identify AI-created content and ideas for how you might...
Summer Reading Program
ICPL Reads
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
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 7:00pm
Other
The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is one of seven awards awarded annualy by Columbia University. It recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, published during the preceding calendar year. Here is a...
Wednesday, June 12, 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 be...
Wednesday, June 12, 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 a...
Wednesday, June 12, 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 12, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Explore something new each Wednesday in June. Kara from Lovely Bunches will be facilitating a program on designing flower crowns (think Disney's Tangled towards the end of the movie)
Wednesday, June 12, 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! Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Brazil's iconic...
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities. Join us to play Squishmallow bingo (with prizes!), then create a piece of Squishmallow fan art by painting a mini...
Thursday, June 13, 2024 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Mikayla Oz is one of the best magicians in Iowa! She offers unique performances that combine fresh, new magic tricks with amazing sleight of hand techniques, all delivered with her engaging and welcoming personality. In her show you will see thing...
Thursday, June 13, 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...
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
You need first-hand experience with AI to fully understand the hype! In this workshop, we'll generate text, images, and music with various online tools. You'll leave with a better ability to identify AI-created content and ideas for how you...
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 - 7:00pm
Other
The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is one of seven awards awarded annualy by Columbia University. It recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, published during the preceding calendar year. ...
Wednesday, June 12, 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...
Wednesday, June 12, 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...
Wednesday, June 12, 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 12, 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!
Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Brazil's...
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Explore something new each Wednesday in June.
Kara from Lovely Bunches will be facilitating a program on designing flower crowns (think Disney's Tangled towards the end of the movie)
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Join us to play Squishmallow bingo (with prizes!), then create a piece of Squishmallow fan art by...
Thursday, June 13, 2024 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Mikayla Oz is one of the best magicians in Iowa! She offers unique performances that combine fresh, new magic tricks with amazing sleight of hand techniques, all delivered with her engaging and welcoming personality.
In her show you will...
Thursday, June 13, 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...
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
***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
Delve into the world of fountain pens! Join us to try out different pens, nibs, inks, and papers. Newbies and enthusiasts are welcome!
TRY THIS: Let us pique your curiosity with an array of fun activities and enriching experiences for...
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...
Saturday, July 27, 2024 - 10:00am
Meeting Room A
Whether you're a total newbie or a seasoned gamer, join us to explore a range of the board games available today.
We'll have board games like Calico, Azul, and Splendor available to try and people to teach you how to play, but you're also...
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 - 6:30pm
Digital Media Lab
LEGO bricks + ink + paper = a customized work of art!
LEGO Dots have a smooth top that's perfect for printmaking, even if that wasn't their intent. You'll lay the pieces out in custom designs and we'll help you print it onto paper.
...Wednesday, July 31, 2024 - 2:30pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
Join the UI Science Booster Club for some fun with hands-on scientific experimentation!
This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 6:00pm
Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C
For the month of July, we've been documenting each day in our own ways. Bring your results and anecdotes to this wrap-up and we'll see how it went for everyone.
...
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - 7:00pm
Meeting Room A
With prompts from a real poet and no pressure to share what you write, try your hand at penning something poignant.
This workshop will be led by Regina Napolitano, a poet and teacher from Oakland, CA. She is a second-year MFA candidate in...
Saturday, June 15, 2024 - 11:00am
Other
Join ICPL staff and supporters are we celebrate Pride. Bring signs, wear your bling and get ready to march in IC's Pride Parade.
Please email victoria-fernandez@icpl.org to ensure you...
Saturday, June 15, 2024 - 8:30pm
Other
Join ICPL staff and members of the Cedar Amateur Astronomers for a special ICPL Astronomy Night event at the Eastern Iowa Observatory & Learning Center at the Palisades-Dows Preserve.
Members of the CAA will give tours of the facility...
Monday, June 17, 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 17, 2024 - 1:00pm
Teen Center
Each Monday in June, middle and high schoolers have to opportunity to make something new.
All supplies are provided and no experience is necessary.
Participants will explore the possibilities of ceramics as their canvas. Attendees...
Tuesday, June 18, 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.
Pick your favorite character and compete for the top spot and prizes.
Tuesday, June 18, 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 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 - 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 - 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 17, 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 18, 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 18, 2024 - 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!
Do you enjoy singing?...
Wednesday, June 19, 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...
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...
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 - 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 - 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.
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...