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About the Summer Library Program
The State Library provides access to a comprehensive Summer Library program for public libraries statewide through the national iREAD program. Each library may download a free resource guide for the current theme, additional learning opportunities for support and inspiration, and the option to order supplementary materials.
Back to topTheme & Resource Guide
The 2026 Summer Library Program theme for all ages is Plant a Seed, Read.
Public library directors were sent instructions and a code to download the 2026 iREAD Summer Reading Resource Guide via email on Oct. 9, 2025. If you have questions or need to be resent the email, please contact Janee.Jackson-Doering@iowa.gov.
The deadline to download the Resource Guide is June 1, 2026.
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2026 Summer Library Program Learning Opportunities
While all our live events for the year have wrapped up, you'll find several recorded sessions related to Summer Library Programming in Workday Learning. Search "Summer" or browse all the webinar archive.
Workday Learning
Workday Learning is the State of Iowa's Learning Management System. Use it to register for courses (live or recorded), keep track of your Endorsement, and see how many CE Hours you've earned.
You can also browse recorded webinars from iREAD.
Back to topSummer Reading Summits
Thank you to the 140+ librarians who came out to chat about summer planning in 2026! We can't wait to see how all your summer library programming goes. The Summer Reading Summit will return, in some form, in 2027! Stay tuned.
Back to topCanva Templates
Canva is a free web-based graphic design tool. We've created templates with the theme graphics provided by iREAD. To use the templates, you must first create a free account at www.canva.com. Canva is easy to learn, but if you want to familiarize yourself with the basics or improve your skills, check out Canva Design School. The Getting Started with Canva tutorial is a good “Canva 101” resource.
Back to topAbout iREAD
iREAD was developed by the Illinois Library Association (ILA) and the program is adopted in other states including Minnesota, California, Alaska, Iowa, and Oregon, and worldwide by the Department of Defense for libraries on military bases. Moreover, iREAD is implemented in thousands of individual libraries across the country.
By combining resources and working with a commercial vendor to produce high quality materials, public libraries in participating states or systems can purchase themed posters, reading logs, bookmarks, certificates and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings.
iREAD is run by ILA, a nonprofit entity; revenues are used to support libraries. There are NO membership fees, contracts, or commitments necessary. iREAD is flexible; you can use the art in perpetuity after purchase. They provide themed templates for any commonly used registration software package such as Beanstack, Evanced, and others. They have been creating inclusive, high-quality summer programming material since 1982.
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Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
This program or resource is made possible in part by the IMLS under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa.