Come to the Library on this Saturday, May 20, anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for fun, adventures and activities that encompass all things STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

You'll start your adventure at ICPL’s STEAM Engine. Our main floor meeting rooms will be transformed into a train transporting all curious passengers on an expedition of knowledge. Weather permitting, continue your journey outside to the Ped Mall and MERGE, where the National Center for Science Education Science Booster Club, the University of Iowa College of Engineering, Iowa City Parks and Recreation, Alliant Energy, MERGE, and the Grout Museum of History and Science will provide a variety of hands-on activities. Climate change, genetics, wind energy, pressurized rockets and coding are just a few of the topics you’ll explore.

Don’t forget to trek back to ICPL’s Storytime Room for Absolute Science with Rick Eugene Brammer at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. This fun and educational program encourages children of all ages to be engaged in the world of science through demonstrations and experiments, including Dry Ice Exploration and Fantastic Foam.

The STEAMfestival @ Iowa City Public Library is made possible with the generous support of the Community Foundation of Johnson County and the Bywater Family Endowment Fund, the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, and the Rev. Dr. Barbara Schlachter Memorial Fund.

Poet W.H. Auden said people “… are here on earth to do good to others.” How people choose to accomplish that will be explored during the Iowa City Public Library’s 2017 Summer Reading Program: Build a Better World.

The 2017 Summer Reading Program will be held June 1 through August 11, with registration beginning June 1. Registration can be completed in-person at the Library, online or during ABC Saturday, formerly known as Children’s Day, on Saturday, June 3. ABC Saturday will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of the Summer of the Arts Festival.

Participation is free and available for all ages, babies through adults. All registrants will receive a game card to track their progress in meeting summer reading goals. The game cards also include information for all Summer Reading Program activities, programs and events. There will be prizes for all participants who complete their program, so be sure to sign up, read and build a better world!

Do you want to preserve your grandchild’s first year electronically? Or create a digital keepsake of your grandmother’s photos and letters from your grandfather? This summer, learn how to use Adobe Creative Cloud software with free classes at the Library.

Instead of hosting one class to complete a project, sign up for one of the Iowa City Public Library’s three-week courses. Attendees will learn to use a portable scanner, improve digitized photos, and create a layout with captions to tell the story around their memories.

Each three-week course consists of three two hour classes. The June session will be held on June 10, 17 and 24. The July session will be held July 12, 19 and 26. The August session will be held Aug. 4, 11 and 25. All classes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Library’s Computer Lab on the Library’s second floor.

These courses aren’t intended for beginning computer users. Attendees should have some experience using a photo editor, and general knowledge about photo and file storage. Participants will need to bring their own items to digitize and should bring these items to the first session.

There is a limit of nine participants per session, so interested persons should register early to secure a spot. Register online or by calling the library at 319-356-5200.

All registrants must plan to attend all three sessions.

Here’s a novel idea: take the night off from preparing dinner and go out to eat. Better yet, have dinner out and support the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation at the same time!

The Foundation has partnered with local restaurants for a new fundraising program: Eat Out to Read. On Wednesday, June 7, dine at Motley Cow Cafe at 160 N Linn St. anytime between 5 and 9 p.m., and a percentage of your tab will be given to the Friends Foundation.

For more information, call the Library at 319-356-5200.