Summer Library Program

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.

The 2025 Summer Library Program theme for all ages is Level Up At Your Library.

Public library directors were sent instructions and a code to download the 2025 iREAD Summer Reading Resource Guide via email on Nov. 6, 2024. 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, 2025. 

Summer Library Program Learning Opportunities

The table below shows the current learning opportunities scheduled for the 2025 program. More are planned and will be added throughout the fall and winter! Watch this page and other State Library communication channels for additional events. 

* Event not offered for CE Credit.

** Offered by iREAD, a list of Iowa librarian attendees will be provided for CE Credit after the webinar.

2025 Summer Reading Canva 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.

Clicking on the template links below will create a copy of each design in your account. All of the text on the templates can be edited to suit your library's needs, and your library's information and logo can also be added to the designs. To print, download the files as Print PDFs. If you decide to have them professionally printed, printers should be able to use the files in that format. You can also print them in-house from Print PDFs.

Templates for Level Up At Your Library will be available mid-February, 2025.

About 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.

Find out more about Federal LSTA funding