Winter Reading Challenge 2026: Reading Olympics

Jan. 1 through Jan. 31

Carlsbad City Library

Get Ready for the 2026 All-Ages Winter Reading Challenge. Ready, set, read!

Join this year's Winter Reading Challenge, the Reading Olympics, and race toward your personal reading goals, explore new genres and aim for gold. Register using Beanstack starting Jan. 1, then swing by any library location to claim your registration rewards, including Dave & Buster's Power Vouchers (while supplies last).

Keep logging your minutes to track your progress, power up our most ambitious community reading goal yet - a total of 250,000 minutes.

Participants who read 240 minutes during the challenge will score entries in the raffle for experience-based prizes, including skate passes to Ice Realm Skating Rink and music and vocal lessons from Ascend Music Studios. Children (ages 0 to 4) will be entered into their own dedicated raffle for age-appropriate rewards.

Get ready for the Winter Reading Challenge with these titles:

• "The Comeback" by E. L. Shen

• "Ticket to the Olympic Winter Games" by Marty Gitlin

• "Marvelous Mabel: Figure Skating Superstar" by Crystal Hubbard

• "What are the Winter Olympics?" By Gail Herman

• "Snowboarding" by Tracy Vonder Brink

Experience Raptors Up Close! Agua Hedionda Raptor Presentation

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 3:30 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

1775 Dove Lane

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 3:30 p.m.

Georgia Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 3:30 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library Learning Center

3368 Eureka Place

In partnership with the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, we invite you to an awe-inspiring 30 minute live raptor presentation featuring two incredible birds of prey, a majestic owl and a swift falcon!

For children in grades K - 6, this interactive and educational program will give you a rare opportunity to learn about these fascinating creatures, their unique adaptations and their vital roles in the natural world.

Don’t miss this exciting chance to meet live raptors and explore the wonder of wildlife!

Space is limited so arrive early to secure your spot.

Volunteer Expo 

Saturday, Jan. 24

10 to 11:30 a.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Just in time for New Year’s goal setting, attend the Volunteer Expo and find the right organization to partner with to serve your community.

From 10 to 10:30 a.m., local nonprofit organizations will present their mission, activities and volunteer needs. Afterward, representatives from each organization will be available to share information, answer questions and assist attendees with volunteer sign-ups. This program is open to both teens and adults. 

Dion Leonard Author Event

Saturday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

Join us for a heartwarming morning with Dion Leonard & Gobi the Dog.

Discover the incredible true story behind "Finding Gobi", the best-selling book by Dion Leonard. Hear firsthand how Dion met a small stray dog while running a 155-mile ultramarathon across China’s Gobi Desert and how that chance encounter changed both of their lives forever.

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• Author Talk and Q&A: Dion Leonard shares his inspiring journey and answers audience questions
• Book Signing: Bring your copy of Finding Gobi and have it signed
• Meet Gobi: Meet the famous pup in person

Whether you're a dog lover, a book enthusiast, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend your morning, this event promises joy, inspiration, and a few tail wags.

Tween Scene at the Cole Library

2nd and 4th Mondays

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Join us twice a month for fun, friends and snacks!

Second Monday

Game Time: Learn new board games or enjoy old favorites.

Fourth Monday

Craft Club: Get creative with a different craft project each month.

For ages 9 to12 or grades 3 - 6. Bring your friends or make new ones.

Go on an adventure with a good book

Carlsbad City Library

Winter break is the perfect time for a great story! Whether exploring magical worlds, solving mysteries or learning something new, books can take you on amazing adventures.

Read or listen for free with your library card. Pick out your next escapade on the Libby app and make this break a season full of stories!

Ready-to-go event calendars

Carlsbad City Library

Keep track of all the happenings at Carlsbad City Library with our ready-to-go event calendars. Whether you're planning your next visit to Dove Library, Cole Library or Learning Center, our downloadable, easy-to-print calendars will keep you updated on all upcoming activities at each library location.

Upcoming closures

New Year's Closure

All Carlsbad City Library locations will close early at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31 in observance of New Year's Eve.

All Carlsbad City Library locations will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 in observance of New Year's Day.

Libraries will reopen on Friday, Jan. 2 at 9 a.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Closure

All Carlsbad City Library locations will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Libraries will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 9 a.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the library at 442-339-2049 or email librarian@carlsbadca.gov.