|
January highlights at the library
Happy New Year! Kick off January with the library's Winter Reading Challenge: Reading Olympics, all month long. Attend inspiring author talks, discover your next great read, and explore engaging programs to start your year off with inspiration.
| | |
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 towards our most ambitious community reading goal yet - a total of 250,000 minutes.
Participants who read 240 minutes will score entries in a raffle for experience-based prizes, including skate passes to Ice Realm Skating Rink, and music and vocal lessons from Ascend Music Studios. Children (ages 0-4) will be entered into their own dedicated raffle for age-appropriate rewards.
| | |
Carlsbad Reads Together 2026: Genre Chosen!
The community has spoken. Patrons were invited to vote for their preferred Carlsbad Reads Together 2026 genre earlier this fall, and the winning choice is memoir/biography.
To keep your reading momentum going during the Winter Reading Challenge, explore these standout memoirs and biographies - perfect picks to dive into the genre and discover your next great read.
Find these titles and more on our Adult Reading Recommendations page.
| | |
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.
| | |
Genealogy Open House
Saturday, Jan. 17
10:30 a.m. to noon
Georgina Cole Library, Community Room
1250 Carlsbad Village Drive
In partnership with the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, we are offering a quarterly gathering for genealogy newcomers and enthusiasts. Connect with others who share your interest in genealogy and family history, learn about their journey and the new resources they have discovered. Get advice on how to get started or share your expertise.
Focus On: African American Genealogy
Tuesday, Feb. 3
2 to 4 p.m.
Carlsbad City Library Learning Center, upstairs computer lab
3368 Eureka Place
Join us as library staff share methods for the often challenging process of researching African American genealogy. Gain insights and see demonstrations on ways to search. This program includes information on the various records available in our library, and how to find and access other resources.
This is a hands on computer class for ages 13 and older. Registration is required.
| | |
Kaira Rouda Author Event
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m.
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium
1775 Dove Lane
Join us in the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium for an exclusive pre-publication event with bestselling mystery and thriller author Kaira Rouda. Be among the first to hear about her upcoming release, "We Were Never Friends". Attendees will enjoy an author discussion, participate in an audience Q&A and have their books personally signed by the author.
| |
|
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 in the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium to hear best-selling author Dion Leonard, author of "Finding Gobi," tell the remarkable story of encountering a small dog while running a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. Attendees will hear an author discussion, participate in an audience Q&A, have their books signed by the author and meet his dog, Gobi.
| | |
Saturdays in the Courtyard
Enjoy live music beginning at 5 p.m. Seating opens at 4:30 p.m. and is limited, so please feel free to bring your own chair. Performances take place outdoors, weather permitting. The Cannon Art Gallery and Chapters Cafe will be open so you can enjoy an early evening full of culture with friends.
Ethan Kalberg
Saturday, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.
Ann Kulchin Courtyard
1775 Dove Lane
Ethan Kalber, a self-taught musical prodigy, brings his soulful blend of original compositions and classic cover tunes.
| | |
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.
| | |
We're here to help
We're available to answer your questions over the phone, through our chat service or by email during open library hours.
Carlsbad City Library location hours
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane & Georgina Cole Library
Sundays
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
| | | | |
