Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program is offered every year in June. Designed to encourage a love of reading.
Earn tickets each week for the prize drawing and have FUN! Open to all ages.
Summer Reading Program 2026 has a theme of "Plant a Seed, Read". Registration begins May 27th.
View the Printable Registration and Events Flyer.
Prizes & ticket information:
Registration begins May 27th with our Drop-In Registration & Decorate your SRP bag event from 4:00-6:00 p.m.. You will receive a bag with program information, a reading log, bookmark and pencil. Once registered, we’ll give you your first prize ticket.
Earn another ticket for every program you attend. Turning in a reading log every week earns you tickets and this year you can earn time for the 3D Printer. Show your reading log each week to earn 30 minutes of print time. The library will have items preset for kids to choose from. (teens & adults can choose from these too) Teens and adults may choose items to print from MakerWorld. Print each week or save up print time for objects requiring more print time.
The Art Show will be during Summer Reading Program. Earn multiple tickets for the prizes when you enter.
Get more Art Show details here.
Place your tickets in the canister for the prize you want to win. Prizes will be on display with their ticket canister. It’s just that easy!
All tickets must be in by Monday, June 29th. Must be present at Finale to win prizes.
The Lineup of Events:
Wednesday, May 27th from 4-6 p.m. Drop-In Registration
Sign up for the Summer Reading Program and decorate your book bag.
Wednesday, June 3rd at 10:00 a.m. Meet Dr. Bechtel
Bec is an associate professor of science education at Wartburg College. He has always raised exotic animals in his classrooms and his home. He loves teaching and learning, adventures, meeting new people (especially those who share his love of animals). Meet his friends up close in this hands-on program.
Tuesday, June 9th at 6:00 p.m. Colonial Country Dance Class
This program is part of the library’s celebration of America’s 250th. Join us as Anna Kerns from the Northeast Iowa Dance Academy will teach dance steps from the Colonial period. Colonial attire is encouraged. Refreshments served by the Friends of the Library.
Wednesday, June 10th at 10:00 a.m. Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Bring your stuffed animal to Storytime. Your pal will stay overnight. You will get to see the fun they have at the library and be able to pick them up on Thursday, June 11th.
Wednesday, June 17th at 10:00 a.m. Read with a Cop
Enjoy a Storytime with some of your local heroes!
Wednesday, June 17th at 2:00 p.m. LEGO Blu Track Race
Build your speedy race car & race your friends on the library's Blu Track.
Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:00 p.m. Flower Painting
Paint a beautiful picture of flowers using the stamp method with a plastic bag.
Wednesday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m. There's a Dinosaur Loose in the Library!
Meet author Kelly Crull, award winning Iowa Children's STEM author and educator, for a silly and surprising STEM dinosaur storytime with a fossil digging station and a hatch your own dino egg activity. Sponsored by the Oelwein Public Library Foundation.
Tuesday, June 30th at 5:00 p.m. Summer Reading Finale Party
Enjoy some Casey's Pizza during the prize drawing. Must be present to win.
