Summer Reading Program

Adventure begins at Iowa City Public Library - child reading in a tent at sunset
Summer reading 2024 has now finished. Thank you to everyone who read with us. Check back next year for our next adventure!

Adventure Begins at Iowa City Public Library

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.

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!

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

Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Tweens Kids Families

Tuesday, June 10, 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! Librarian Casey will kick off the...

Tweens Kids Families

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 4:00pm

Storytime Room

Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Tuesday from June 10 - July 22, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities that will help you learn about physics, the scientific study of matter.

Tweens Science & Technology

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,...

Tweens Kids Families

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,...

Tweens Kids Families

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; sandy seashell necklaces; an upcycled, glowing coral reef craft; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style! This program is for kids in...

Tweens

Tuesday, June 17, 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! Stevie Toomey, artist and owner...

Tweens Kids Families Arts & Crafting

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 4:00pm

Storytime Room

Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Tuesday from June 10 - July 22, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities that will help you learn about physics, the scientific study of matter.

Tweens Science & Technology

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...

Adults Teens Tweens Kids Families Arts & Crafting Current Issues Gaming & Pop Culture

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you'...

Tweens Kids Families

Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Tuesday, June 10, 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!

Librarian Casey will...

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 4:00pm

Storytime Room

Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Tuesday from June 10 - July 22, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities that will help you learn about physics, the scientific study of matter.

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...

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...

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; sandy seashell necklaces; an upcycled, glowing coral reef craft; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style!

This program is...

Tuesday, June 17, 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!

Stevie Toomey, artist...

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 4:00pm

Storytime Room

Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Tuesday from June 10 - July 22, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities that will help you learn about physics, the scientific study of matter.

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,...

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you...

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,...

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, 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 9, 2025 - 2:30pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Casey leads ukulele music, singing, instruments, and movement.

This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities.

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...

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - 2:30pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Kara from Lovely Bunches Farm will bring an array of beautiful, locally-grown flowers and plants, then guide us in placing them in a vase to create a cohesive, visually pleasing arrangement to take home.

This program is intended for...

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,...

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, 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 9, 2025 - 2:30pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Casey leads ukulele music, singing, instruments, and movement.

This program is intended for people of all ages who are neurodivergent, or who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities.

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...

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - 2:30pm

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Kara from Lovely Bunches Farm will bring an array of beautiful, locally-grown flowers and plants, then guide us in placing them in a vase to create a cohesive, visually pleasing arrangement to take home.

This program is intended for...

Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Tuesday, June 10, 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!

Librarian Casey will...

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 4:00pm

Storytime Room

Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Tuesday from June 10 - July 22, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities that will help you learn about physics, the scientific study of matter.

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...

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...

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; sandy seashell necklaces; an upcycled, glowing coral reef craft; and a fish-themed snack mix. Get ready to shell-ebrate in style!

This program is...

Tuesday, June 17, 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!

Stevie Toomey, artist...

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 4:00pm

Storytime Room

Calling all science lovers in 3rd-6th grade! Every Tuesday from June 10 - July 22, join West High students Flora and Tina for hands-on activities that will help you learn about physics, the scientific study of matter.

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,...

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting Room A, Meeting Room B, Meeting Room C

Comedian and Magician Jonathan May entertains audiences of all ages and sizes, with a magic show that is awe-inspiring for children, while still engaging and entertaining the adults in the audience. You'll Laugh, you'll Ooooh and you...