📚 Library eNews for little ones, kids, tweens and teens

May events at the library

Get ready for a month of exciting events leading into summer, including Free Comic Book Day activities and celebrations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander month with these titles:

"Parachute Kids" by Betty C. Tang
"Ohana Means Family" by Ilima Loomis
"Meet Me on Mercer Street" by Booki Vivat
"How to Wear a Sari" by Darshan Khiani
"The House that Lou Built" by Mae Respicio
"The ABCs of Asian American History" by Renee Rutledge

Free Comic Book Day

Saturday, May 2

Carlsbad City Library - all locations

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with a burst of creativity at all Carlsbad City Library locations Saturday, May 2.

Before you dive into epic stories and pick up your free comics, join us for two hands-on activities. Design your own comic book cover and create a custom superhero logo sticker. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or just looking for a fun, creative experience, you’ll feel like a comic creator in no time.

All Carlsbad City Libraries will offer free comic books while supplies last. Visitors can explore new stories, revisit favorite characters and discover titles in the library’s graphic novel collection.

Silhouette Cameo: Design a Superhero Logo Sticker

Saturday, May 2

1 to 2 p.m.

Exploration Hub

1775 Dove Lane

No registration required - seating capacity at 14.

Comic Book Cover Art Workshop

Saturday, May 2

2 to 3 p.m.

City of Carlsbad Library Learning Center

3368 Eureka Place

No registration required.

Summer Reading Adventure 2026 -

Save the Date

Beginning June 1, readers of all ages can earn rewards from sponsors and entries for raffles by simply logging their reading. Enjoy special events, performances and educational programs led by guest presenters and library staff.

This year’s theme is “Plant a Seed, Read." Visit your nearest Carlsbad City Library location to discover gardening events, find a new read and pick up your rewards.

Stay up to date by visiting the Summer Reading Adventure webpage.

Teen Volunteers Needed

City Library - all locations

Calling all teens entering grades 7 through 12: Recruitment for the 2026 Summer Reading Adventure will be open May 1 to May 31 or until the maximum capacity of 105 volunteers is reached. To volunteer during the summer, teens must attend an in‑person volunteer orientation. Teens may schedule shifts based on their availability, and shifts will be offered June 8 through Aug. 1. Join the interest list to receive reminders about application and orientation dates. If you have any questions, please contact libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov.

Saturday Stories

Saturday, May 9

11:30 a.m. to noon

Georgina Cole Library, Community Room

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Join Ms. Danielle on the second Saturday of each month for a cozy, interactive storytime featuring stories, songs, poems and playtime with friends, old and new. Families with children of all ages are welcome.

Tween Scene at the Cole Library

Monday, May 11

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library, Community Room

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Join us this month for fun, friends and snacks!

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, Game Time and Craft Club will be combined this month. Come play your favorite board games, get creative with a craft project or try both for twice the fun.

For ages 8 to 12. Bring your friends or make new ones.

Teen Book Club at the Cole Library

Thursday, May 14

5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library, Sculpture Garden

2955 Elmwood Street

Teens in grades 7 to 12 join us in the Sculpture Garden on the second Thursday of the month for a fun and welcoming book discussion. This month's book is "Dragonfruit" by Makiia Lucier.

Find future book club titles and more information on the Youth Book Club webpage or contact marin.faeyera@carlsbadca.gov.

Teen Insights

Teens in grades 7 to 12 can earn service hours by writing book reviews. Teens can email their reviews to libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov. Visit the Teen Insights webpage for more details.

Read the following Teen Insights review about Hoopla, a digital streaming and reading website.

I recently used Hoopla, a digital resource available through the Carlsbad City Library that lets users access music, movies, TV shows, ebooks and audiobooks in one place. The platform is easy to set up with a library card and is free, similar to Kanopy. Content is organized into categories, and there are no ads, so you can start watching or reading immediately. The selection is broader than I expected, with popular books, comics and other media available at no cost. The service is useful for anyone who wants entertainment or reading options without paying for multiple subscriptions, and it may offer alternatives to services like Spotify, Kindle and Amazon Prime. Hoopla feels underrated, and it makes the library’s digital collection easy to access through a single website.

-Charlie, grade 12

Summer Arts Programs -

K-Pop Academy

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Week of June 15-19

Spend a week with us creating "golden" moments to unlock your inner K-Pop idol! Korean pop culture has been a force to be reckoned with and we're bringing that idol energy to you.

Participants, ages 10 to 14, will explore personal development, self-expression and community building through performance-based learning and design a final showcase.

No experience is necessary to join this fun-filled week of cultural immersion, performance arts and bonding with peers over a common interest.

Club Pelican

Batiquitos Lagoon

7380 Gabbiano Lane

9 a.m. to noon

Week 1 | July 13-17

Week 2 | July 20-24

Week 3 | July 27-31

Join us at Club Pelican for a science and art summer experience for kids ages 7 to 11. Experience science-based learning and nature walks at Batiquitos Lagoon, exploring local wildlife, plants and ecosystems. Daily themes will encourage participants to think about their surroundings while creating lagoon-inspired art that explores creativity, curiosity and self-expression. All materials are included, just bring your imagination and sense of adventure.

Reading Challenges for Middle and

High School Students

50 Books Before Middle School Promotion

for grades six through eight

100 Books Before High School Graduation

for grades nine through twelve

Sign up in Beanstack, then stop by any Carlsbad City Library location to claim your registration reward - a free book and a pin board to kick off your reading journey. For every 10 books you read, you’ll earn a book-themed pin of your choice. Complete the challenge and celebrate with a special graduation lei to showcase your achievement and your pins.

For more details, visit our website or email libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov.

Upcoming Closures

All Carlsbad City Library locations will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

Libraries will reopen on Tuesday, May 26 at 9 a.m.

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

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.