Plant a Seed, Read
June 1 to Aug. 1
What is the Summer Reading Adventure?
Readers of all ages can earn rewards and entries for raffles throughout the summer. Enjoy special events, performances and educational programs led by guest presenters and library staff. This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read.” Be sure to visit your nearest Carlsbad City Library location to discover gardening events, find a new read and pick up your rewards.
Para información en español sobre la Aventura de Lectura de Verano 2026, visita el sitio web de la biblioteca.
How do I participate?
Register – Visit carlsbadlibrary.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack Tracker app for Android or iOS. Log in to your account or create one if you are a new reader. Sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure challenge.
Record – Record your reading minutes in Beanstack.
Report – Children ages 12 and under can receive a free book by sharing their recent reads with a friendly volunteer in the Children’s area of each library location
Rewards – Register for the challenge and receive your first reward: a plantable seed bookmark or plantable pencil.
Bonus reward: Bonus reward after 60 minutes read: Readers ages 18 and under can receive a free pass to the San Diego County Fair by reading 60 minutes during the month of June. Passes are valid Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, while supplies last.
2nd reward (300 minutes read): Earn museum, Friends Bookstore, local food and Dave & Buster’s coupons. Rewards vary by age group.
Final reward: Earn a raffle entry after reading 600 minutes.
Bonus raffle tickets: Earn additional raffle tickets after reading 900 and 1200 minutes.
Join us for another exciting summer of reading and fun at the Carlsbad City Library
More to Explore!
For additional programs for children, teens and adults, please visit the Carlsbad City Library web calendar: https://library.carlsbadca.gov/programs/ events-calendar
Remember to check the printable calendars for regularly scheduled programs Monthly Event Calendars | Carlsbad City Library, CA
Color Key: Dove Library, Library Learning Center, Cole Library
Special Events
Summer Reading Adventure kick-off events
All library locations, June 6
Sign up for the Summer Reading Adventure and take home a free book
Local Author Fair
Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Ann Kulchin Courtyard)
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Celebrate stories, creativity and community at the third annual Local Author Fair. Meet 24 talented authors, discover new books and join in the excitement of the Summer Reading Adventure.
Puzzles and Play
Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Puzzles and Play: Kick Off Your Summer Reading Adventure! Jump into summer with Puzzles and Play, the official kickoff to our Summer Reading Adventure! Explore this favorite pastime along with a speed twist! Meet a competitive speed puzzler who will share tips and tricks about this fast growing sport and try it out for yourself! Great for teens and adults, and family-friendly for ages 8+.
Pot Painting & Seed Planting
Saturday, June 6, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Library Learning Center
Kick off a summer of discovery at the Library Learning Center! Get creative by painting a biodegradable pot. Then choose seeds from our Seed Library and make a plant marker to take home and grow your own reading-inspired garden. Drop in anytime—all ages welcome while supplies last!
FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Craig Newton
Thursday, June 11, 10:30 a.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Craig Newton will showcase a wide variety of instruments during this interactive concert that will entertain and educate listeners of all ages.
Ralph’s World
Friday, June 12, 10 a.m.
Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Children and families can sing, clap and dance along to Ralph’s catchy tunes.
Zovargo
Friday, June 12, noon
Library Learning Center
Meet Zovargo’s animal ambassadors! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to see these remarkable animals and hear their stories!
Arty Loon
Wednesday, June 17, 5:30 p.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Experience the magic of Arty Loon! Comedy, illusions, juggling, balloons and puppetry come together in a high-energy, interactive family show filled with laughter and fun.
Ruth & Emilia
Friday, June 19, 2 p.m.
Library Learning Center
This musical adventure begins when a spaceship lands in Emilia’s backyard. Dialogue is in Spanish, with songs performed in English and focuses on teamwork and peace.
Sparkles the Clown
Monday, June 22 at 3:30 p.m.
Library Learning Center
Wednesday, June 24, 3:30 p.m.
Children’s Garden
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Come experience a dazzling magic and bubble show where attendees will discover the fascinating science behind bubbles.
Mr. Markus
Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Party Puppet Show is a lively puppet theater experience blending comedy, music and puppetry—perfect for families and designed to spark kids’ creativity and imagination.
Tinker Tuesday: Seed paper making with Master Gardener Dana
Tuesday, July 7, 3:30 p.m.
Gowland Meeting Room
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Recommended for children in kindergarten to grade 3: Learn how to make paper out of seeds with a Master Gardener of San Diego County.
Wild Wonders
Tuesday, July 7, 10 a.m.
Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Thursday, July 9, 10:30 a.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Friday, July 10 at 2 p.m.
Library Learning Center
All ages invited to learn about and see exotic animals.
San Diego Guild of Puppetry: Shadow Puppets Workshop
Friday, July 17, 2:30 p.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to participate in a hands-on workshop where they will create their own shadow puppets to take home.
Georgette Baker
Thursday, July 23, 3:30 p.m.
Library Learning Center
Recommended for families and children of all ages: Join Georgette Baker for a storytelling experience filled with songs, movement and audience participation. In folkloric attire, she shares stories, artifacts and engaging facts about Central America.
Drummers without Borders
Thursday, July 30, 3:30 p.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Recommended for families and children of all ages: Come explore hands-on percussion instruments and take part in a fun, interactive drum circle.
Zany Zoe
Tuesday, July 28, 10:30 a.m.
Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Friday, July 31, 2 p.m.
Library Learning Center
See this amazing magician showcase her magic and wow audiences. A bilingual performance will be offered at the Library Learning Center.
FOR TWEENS AND TEENS
AI StoryLabs Workshop
Tuesday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.
Gowland Meeting Room
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years: Come to this playful, interactive storytelling workshop where children co-create a story, learn story fundamentals and build confidence with Professor Dr. BumbleBrain. Fully guided—no typing or direct technology use.
Tween Scene Craft Club: Seed painting with Master Gardener Dana
Monday, June 22, 3:30 p.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years: “Paint” a still life or an image from your imagination using a variety of seeds to create rich colors and textures.
Teen Book Club: July
Thursday, July 9, 5:45 p.m.
Sculpture Garden, Georgina Cole Library
For teens ages 11 to 17:
Discuss ” Hungry Hearts” edited by Elsie Chapman.
Expanded Interior:
Soft Sculpture Workshop with Mônica Lóss
Monday, July 13, 4 p.m.
Gowland Meeting Room
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
For teens ages 11 to 17: This workshop invites participants to transform discarded textiles and objects into art. Using simple textile techniques, participants explore sustainability, memory and imagination while creating soft sculptures. Maximum capacity is 20.
Anime Your Way: Watercolor event
Monday, July 20, 4 p.m.
Gowland Meeting Room
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
For teens ages 11 to 17: Teens are invited to learn how to make selfies using watercolors.
Teen writing workshop: Edible Stories: Food, Memory and Culture
Saturday, July 25, 1 p.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
For ages 11 to 17 years: Food carries history, identity and imagination. In this writing workshop, participants will explore the stories behind meals and ingredients through personal narrative, fictional cultures built around magical foods or sensory-driven storytelling that brings memories to life.
Tween Scene Craft Club: Potato Stamping
Monday, July 27, 3:30 p.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years
Turn simple spuds into bold prints with an eco-friendly potato stamping project.
FOR ADULTS
Grow Your Garden: Is My Garden Soil Dirt?
Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.
Ann Kulchin Courtyard
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Healthy soil is the key to growing healthy plants, but what is healthy soil? How do you know if you have it? With some hands-on demonstrations, we will also discuss soil texture, porosity and movement of air, water and nutrients in soil.
Bilingual Adult Craft Night/ Noche de manualidades para adultos
Wednesday, July 8, 5:30 p.m.
Gowland Meeting Room
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Thursday, July 9, 5 p.m.
Library Learning Center
Join us for bilingual adult craft night! All materials will be provided. Registration is not required, but seating is limited. For additional information or questions, please email Bilingual@carlsbadca.gov
¡Únase a nosotros para una noche de manualidades bilingüe para adultos! Todos los materiales están incluidos, asientos limitados y no es necesario registrarse. Para información adicional o preguntas, envíe un correoelectrónico a Bilingual@carlsbadca.gov
Grow Your Garden: Waterwise Plants
Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.
Community Room, Georgina Cole Library
Master Gardeners will introduce home gardeners to waterwise plants that thrive in our Mediterranean climate, while reducing water use, maintenance and costs. Participants learn what “waterwise” really means— selecting the right plants for the right place.
EXPLORATION HUB
Exploration HUB
Second floor
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
Visit the Exploration HUB on the second floor of the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane throughout the summer to create, explore and learn. Try your hand at the 3D printer, design projects with the Silhouette Cameo, digitize treasured home movies using our video conversion software and remember to plant a seed, read—spark an idea, then dive deeper through discovery and design.
