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

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 19, 2025 - 1:00pm

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

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...

Tweens Kids Families Arts & Crafting

Tuesday, June 24, 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 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...

Tweens Kids Families Classes & Workshops

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...

Adults Teens Tweens Kids Families Classes & Workshops

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...

Tweens Kids Families

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...

Tweens Kids Families

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...

Tweens Arts & Crafting Current Issues Gaming & Pop Culture

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...

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 1:00pm

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...

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...

Tuesday, June 24, 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 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...

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...

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...

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...

Thursday, August 28, 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...

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...

Thursday, August 28, 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...

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...

Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 1:00pm

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...

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...

Tuesday, June 24, 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 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...

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...

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...