Ready, set… read! The Iowa City Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is in full swing, and we’ve got something exciting happening every single day. Kids of all ages can stop by the Library or the ICPL Bookmobile to pick up a game card, set summer reading goals, and earn fun prizes along the way!
Explore all our activities for kids, tweens, teens, and adults in our digital program guide. For more details, visiticpl.org/summer.
We’ve packed the summer with Storytimes and outdoor fun. Stories in the Park takes place at 9:30 a.m. to beat the heat! Each week the same Storytime will be offered:
Mondays at Willowcreek Park,
Wednesdays at Wetherby Park, and
Fridays at Mercer Park.
Be sure to visit the Bookmobile at each park stop to check out books and log your reading!
Storytime in the Library is offered Monday through Wednesday and Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Storytime Room. Each session features stories, songs, and interactive fun with our team of rotating librarians.
Make Every Day a Library Day
Monday Mashup takes place from 1 to 2 p.m. and features a new activity each week. Kids can build with LEGO bricks on the first Monday, play oversized favorites with giant games on the second Monday, try their luck with BINGO on the third Monday, and test their trivia skills on the fourth Monday.
How-To Tuesdays begin at 1 p.m. and invites elementary-age kids to explore a new hobby or skill—maybe even something they’ve never tried before! Local community experts introduce the basics and spark curiosity in a fun, supportive setting.
World Wednesdays are held from 1 to 2 p.m. in Meeting Room A. Each week, we celebrate a different country through music, art, stories, and hands-on activities. Kids will enjoy exploring global traditions and learning about cultures from around the world.
Thrilling Thursdays offer live performances and exciting interactive experiences at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Meeting Room A. From circus acts and magic shows to exotic animals and science fun, each week brings something new for the whole family.
Friday Flicks begin at 1 p.m. in the Storytime Room. Enjoy a kid-friendly movie every Friday afternoon—perfect for elementary-age movie lovers and their families to relax and cool off together.
For Tweens
We’ve got you covered with book clubs and hands-on creative workshops designed just for tweens. Stay curious, meet new friends, and have a blast. Check the full schedule aticpl.org/summer!
Join us for ABC Day, a fun-filled celebration of arts, books, and children! This special event—produced by the Iowa City Public Library—is the official kickoff of the Summer Reading Program and part of the Iowa Arts Festival.
Families can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities throughout the Ped Mall near the Library, including crafts and hands-on art projects, the always-popular Paint the Town mural, live music and bubbles, Summer Reading sign-up stations, and special visits from the Bookmobile. Family-friendly performances will also take place at the College and Dubuque pedestrian crossing throughout the day.
The Iowa Arts Festival is an award-winning, weekend-long community celebration featuring over 100 local and national visual artists. On Saturday and Sunday, the Emerging Artist Pavilion will highlight the work of talented high school and college students. The festival also features music performances, food vendors offering regional and international flavors, and creative, educational programming for children. It’s the most anticipated art event of the summer!
Thursday, June 12 – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ped Mall
Join us outside the College Street entrance to explore all the Iowa City Public Library has to offer—right from the Book Bike! Staff will be on site sharing information about Library programs, services, and collections, including resources for kids, teens, and families. Learn how to stream movies, access ebooks, check out multilingual materials, and more.
Visitors can pick up a free book to keep, courtesy of the ICPL Friends Foundation, and chat with Katie Roche, Director of the Friends Foundation, about ways to get involved. In case of rain, we’ll be in the Library lobby.
Did you know that all students in the Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) have access to public library materials using their school-issued student ID? Through the AIM Card (Access to Information and Materials) program, students in grades K–12 can check out up to three items from any of the three participating public libraries—Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty—without needing a separate library card.
The AIM Card is designed to supplement the resources available through school libraries. In addition to borrowing physical materials, students can also enjoy access to digital resources such as ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app via Digital Johnson County, streaming movies through Kanopy, and a variety of online educational databases and tools. There are no late fees or fines associated with the AIM Card.
To participate, caregivers must give permission during the school district’s online registration process each academic year. Once approved, students can use their school-issued ID number to check out materials and access digital services.
About the Program:The AIM Card program began in 2019 as a partnership between the Iowa City Community School District and the public libraries in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty, with the shared goal of expanding student access to reading and learning materials throughout the community.
After a several-month pause, the Adventure Pass program has returned—and it’s better than ever!
With your Iowa City Public Library card, you can reserve free admission passes to top Iowa attractions for two adults and two children. Participating venues include the Blank Park Zoo, the Figge Art Museum, the Science Center of Iowa, the African American Museum of Iowa, the History Center in Cedar Rapids, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Reiman Gardens in Ames.
To reserve a pass, you must be at least 18 years old, live in Iowa City, Hills, Lone Tree, University Heights, or rural Johnson County, and have a valid, unexpired Iowa City Public Library card with no billed items and less than $10 in fees. You’ll also need to bring a valid photo ID that matches the name on the reservation, and you must print your confirmation page to use the pass. Each person may reserve one pass per venue every 365 days.
