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July highlights at the library

Summer is here, and our July calendar is heating up with exciting author events, performances and programs for all ages.

Join the Summer Reading Adventure

June 1 to Aug. 1

The library invites you to take part in the Summer Reading Adventure 2026: "Plant a Seed, Read." This year’s theme celebrates how libraries help grow a love of reading and foster community connection.

Enjoy gardening workshops, seed-inspired art, interactive storytelling, music and live performances for all ages. Learn about waterwise plants, create potato stamps with natural materials, and meet rescued exotic animals while learning about wildlife conservation. Readers of all ages can earn rewards from sponsors and raffle entries simply by logging their reading.

Visit the Summer Reading Adventure webpage to register and find full program details.

A very special thank you to the Friends of the Carlsbad Library for generously supporting the Summer Reading Adventure each year.

Author Event with Lisa See

Wednesday, July 1

12 to 1:30 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane

Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

New York Times bestselling author Lisa See returns to Carlsbad to discuss her new novel "Daughters of the Sun and Moon." Tickets will be distributed starting at 11 a.m., and doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. A book signing will follow the discussion with copies available for purchase courtesy of Adventures by the Book. This event is free and open to the public.

Grow Your Garden: Waterwise Plants

Saturday, July 11

10 a.m. to noon

Georgina Cole Library

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Master Gardeners will introduce home gardeners to waterwise plants that thrive in our Mediterranean climate while reducing water use, maintenance and costs. Participants will learn what “waterwise” really means – selecting the right plants for the right place.

Carlsbad City Library’s Grow Your Garden program lets you swap succulents, seeds, fruit, vegetables and herbs from your garden with your neighbors while learning new gardening techniques.

Connecting with Contracts: Government Contracting, Selling to Government

Thursday, July 16

8:30 a.m. to noon

Carlsbad City Library

1775 Dove Lane

Ready to unlock lucrative government contracts? Join the San Diego & Imperial Valley SBDC Network and APEX Accelerators for the ultimate small business matchmaking event. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to scale, this is your fast track to breaking into the government marketplace. This event delivers insider knowledge, direct access to deal makers and winning strategies to procure contracts.

Sign Ups Required: Connecting with Contracts

Just the Facts! Nonfiction Book Club

First Thursday of the month

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Hybrid - Zoom and in person

Georgina Cole Library, Community Room

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Join us on July 2 to discuss "An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s" by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Learn more on our website or contact marin.faeyera@carlsbadca.gov for the Zoom link.

Teen reading and writing events this month

Teen Book Club

Thursday, July 9

5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

Sculpture Garden

2955 Elmwood Lane

Join us in the Sculpture Garden to discuss "Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love" edited by Elsie Chapman and Caroline Tung Richmond.

Teen Writing Workshop:

Edible Stories: Food, Memory and Culture

Saturday, July 25

1 to 3 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library

Teen Room

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Food carries history, identity and imagination. In this writing workshop led by author Amy Lanci, participants will explore the stories behind meals and ingredients through personal narrative, fictional cultures built around magical foods or sensory-driven storytelling that brings memories to life.

Beginning/Refresher Genealogy Class

Saturday, July 25

9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library, Community Room

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Staff from the Carlsbad City Library's Genealogy & Carlsbad History division and members of the North San Diego County Genealogical Society will introduce and discuss essential resources and methods for conducting successful genealogy research. This class is designed for those just beginning their genealogy research, as well as seasoned genealogists looking to update or improve their research skills.

Doors open at 9:15 a.m. An informal tour of the genealogy collection will be available during the lunch hour break.

Registration is recommended.

Email genealogy@carlsbadca.gov, call 442-339-2931 or stop by the Genealogy & Carlsbad History service desk at the Georgina Cole Library.

"Plant a Seed, Read": Recommended titles for summer reading

Nourish your mind with these books that explore themes of food, gardening and the natural world:

“All Consuming” by Ruby Tandoh
“Good Things” by Samin Nosrat
“The Twilight Garden” by Sara Nisha Adams
“Semiosis” by Sue Burke
“The Overstory” by Richard Powers
“A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons” by Kate Khavari

Find these titles and more on our Adult Reading Recommendations page.

Focus On: How to Research your Revolutionary War ancestors

Tuesday, July 7 or July 21

2 to 4 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library Learning Center, upstairs computer lab

3368 Eureka Place

Join Genealogy & Carlsbad History staff as we take a look at how to find military records in our genealogy collections and databases researching veterans and Revolutionary War ancestors.

A Carlsbad City Library card with internet privileges is required.

Space is limited and registration is required.

If you have any questions, please call the Genealogy & Carlsbad History service desk 442-339-2931.

2026 TGIF Concerts in the Parks

Join us for summer fun!

Stagecoach Park:

July 10 - Dance Dance Evolution (Top 40 through the years)

July 17 - Harbor Party (Yacht Rock)

Calavera Hills Park:

July 24 - Sabrosas Latin Orchestra (Latin/Salsa)

July 31 - 90s Rockshow (90s Alt Rock)

Aug. 7 - (B.I.G.) Brothers Igniting a Groove (R&B/Funk)

Alga Norte Park:

Aug. 14 - Flashpants (80s hits)

Aug. 21 - Daring Greatly (Rock & Soul)

We had such a good time last year, we’re bringing back pop-up art and dance lessons at every concert.

Library Closure:

Independence Day

All Carlsbad City Library locations will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Cole and Dove Libraries will reopen on Sunday, July 5 at 1 p.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, Cole or Library Learning Center, our downloadable, easy-to-print calendars will keep you updated on all upcoming activities at each library location.