📖 What's new at your library

October is here and as the days grow cozier, we invite you to fall into stories, ideas and community at the library.

What to read for Banned Books Week

Embrace intellectual freedom by selecting your next read from this collection of frequently challenged titles and books that tackle censorship:

“Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books” by Kirsten Miller
“The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien
"That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America” by Amanda Jones
"Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood
“All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir Manifesto” by George M. Johnson

Find these and more on our Adult Reading Recommendations page.

Small Business Support Series

Thursdays, October, 2, 9, 16 & 23

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library, Community Room

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

Join us for an informative series sponsored by MiraCosta College and the Small Business Development Center. For more information, please see the workshop details. Online registration is required.

Oct. 2: AI for Business Growth: Pivot, Innovate, Thrive
Oct. 9: Pricing for Profit: Mastering Small Business Pricing Strategies
Oct. 16: Profit Boost: Strategies to Raise Prices and Cut Costs
Oct 23: Marketing & Networking Mastery: Unlocking Sales Growth

Light refreshments provided.

Focus On: Find a Grave and Death Records

Tuesday Oct. 7 or Oct. 21, 2 to 4 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library Learning Center,

Upstairs computer lab

3868 Eureka Place

Death dates and burial information are an essential part of genealogical research. Learn how to search our Genealogy collection for death records, cemetery books, extracted death indexes and more. This class will also give an overview of how to use FindAGrave to search for, share and edit the memorials of your ancestors.

Registration is required and space is limited.

Halloween Fixit Clinic

Saturday Oct. 25,10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Georgina Cole Library, front lawn

1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

At the heart of sustainability is the idea that what we already have is worth preserving. That’s exactly what Carlsbad’s Fixit Clinics are all about—giving residents the tools, support and confidence to repair broken items instead of throwing them away. Join us!

Monday, Oct. 27, 6 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

Come hear Elise Hart Kipness, Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt discuss their newly released thrillers in the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free tickets will be distributed beginning at 5 p.m.

Tech Help

First Wednesdays of the Month

10 to 11 a.m.

Carlsbad City Library Learning Center, upstairs computer lab

3368 Eureka Place

Third Wednesdays of the Month

9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Exploration HUB

1775 Dove Lane

Bring your tech questions to this supportive, hands-on program and let a library staff member guide you through the basics of computing, using eReaders, smartphones and other devices. Gain confidence and become an empowered tech user.

We would love to hear your questions in advance. If you're planning to attend the Learning Center program, send questions to bilingual@carlsbadca.gov, or call (442) 339-5500. For the Exploration HUB program, send questions to explorationhub@CarlsbadCA.gov, or call (442) 339-2039.

Seats are limited, so register online or reserve your spot by calling your preferred location's phone number.

Jane Austen's 250th Birthday Celebration

2025 celebrates the 250th anniversary of author Jane Austen's birthday and the 214th anniversary of the publication of "Sense and Sensibility." Join us in celebrating this milestone throughout October at the Carlsbad City Library, where special events and curated resources will honor the enduring legacy of this legendary literary icon.

Jane Austen: The Austen Canon

Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, 4 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, William D. Cannon Art Gallery

1775 Dove Lane

Join two librarians in the Cannon Art Gallery for an in-depth exploration of all of Austen’s literary works. The discussion will focus on Jane Austen’s unforgettable heroes, trademark witty banter and the enduring themes that keep her stories compelling more than two centuries later.

Jane Austen: Two Centuries of Influence

Saturday, Oct. 18, Noon

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Gowland meeting room

1775 Dove Lane

Join us to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Enjoy an engaging lecture by Board Member of the Jane Austen Society, San Diego Region, Linda Miller as she explores the life of this historic literary figure and the enduring impact of her works over the past two centuries.

“Becoming Jane” Film Screening

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m.

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium

1775 Dove Lane

Join us for a free screening of "Becoming Jane”, the 2007 film inspired by the life of Jane Austen starring Anne Hathaway.

From Roots to Reels

Celebrate the vibrant cultures, histories, and voices of the Hispanic and Latino communities with Kanopy’s Hispanic Heritage Month Collection. Download the free Kanopy app to most smart TVs, tablets or phones and enjoy these entertaining and insightful films with your library card.

Saturdays in the Courtyard

Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane,

Ann Kulchin Courtyard

1775 Dove Lane

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. William D. Cannon Art Gallery and Chapters Cafe will be open, so you can enjoy an early evening full of culture with friends.

Mark Hummel

Saturday, Oct. 11, 5 p.m.

Grammy Nominee, Blues Music Award Winner and author, Mark Hummel, has fascinated audiences across the Unites States and Europe with his own trademark harmonica sound -- a subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack combined with a strong sense of swing.

Free with your library card

Discover a world of information and entertainment - free with your library card.

Access local newspapers like the San Diego Union-Tribune via NewsBank, and read national publications like the The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times through ProQuest eLibrary. Enjoy movies and documentaries through Kanopy and Hoopla. Download eBooks and eAudiobooks to your favorite devices using the Libby and Hoopla apps.

Visit our eResources page to explore even more content!

Get your library card today.

Family-Friendly Public Safety Open House

Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Carlsbad Safety Training Center

5750 Orion Street

Join us at the City of Carlsbad’s Public Safety Open House. All ages can explore the public safety training center, watch firefighters in action, see a K-9 officer demonstration, tour public works vehicles and learn essential safety skills like using a fire extinguisher and performing CPR. Event coincides with Fire Prevention Week and National Crime Prevention Month, making it a great opportunity to learn important safety tips. Don’t miss out!

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

All city offices and libraries will be closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, Monday, Oct. 13 and will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m.

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