Summer Reading Adventure 2023
All library locations
June 20 – Aug. 5

The annual Summer Reading Adventure returns on Tuesday, June 20. Readers from 0 to 100+ can play virtual Bingo to earn rewards by reading and completing library-related activities. Be sure to keep an eye on our Summer Reading Adventure website for more exciting details. Pre-registration is now available.

The Friends of the Carlsbad Library are proud to provide primary funding for the Summer Reading Adventure 2023 and children's books as rewards.
Friends of the Carlsbad Library Update

The Friends of the Carlsbad Library are excited to announce new hours for the Cole and Dove bookstore:

Friends Bookstore, Dove Library
1775 Dove Lane
Mondays, 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
442-339-2020

Friends Bookstore, Cole Library
1250 Carlsbad Village Drive
Mondays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
442-339-2898

Book donations are welcome at any time. 
June Celebrations

Celebrating Pride month, Juneteenth, and Caribbean-American Heritage month is a wonderful way to recognize and appreciate diverse cultures and histories. Be sure to explore the library's collection or consult with staff to discover even more titles that interest you. Enjoy your reading and the celebrations!
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, Exploration HUB
1775 Dove Lane
Tuesday, June 13, 5 – 6:30 p.m. 

Celebrate Pride month and learn how to use the Silhouette Studio software and Silhouette Cameo cutter, a digital die-cut machine to create a Pride tote bag. Participants will learn the fundamentals of graphic design using the text tool and gain hands-on experience using heat-transfer vinyl. Supplies will be provided. 
Virtual Pride Month Graphic Novel Book: "Gender Queer"
Thursday, June 22, 7 8 p.m.

Read with pride! Join us for a virtual discussion of the Stonewall Award-winning graphic novel, "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe. This title is instantly available on Hoopla by signing in with your Carlsbad City Library card
To register, email karen.tinajerovazquez@carlsbadca.gov
Human Library: Stories of Pride
Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive
Monday, June 26, 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Adults and teens are invited to join us in celebrating Pride month and the diversity we have in our community with a "Human Library" program. Our guest panel of human "open books" will include local college professors, a drag queen and LGBTQIA+ historians. Learn more about the intersection of LGBTQIA+ history and the arts via various presentations and a question and answer opportunity with our guest panel of “open books.”
Celebrate Juneteenth with a Book

June 19 is Juneteenth! Celebrate, honor and learn more about the emancipation of enslaved people in the US by reading a book! Visit the Adult Reading Recommendations page for curated suggestions.  
Job-Readiness Room

If you are thinking about applying for a new job or re-entering the work force, try the Job Readiness Room powered by Lightcast. It is an excellent resource that offers courses in the field of hospitality and food service, manufacturing or office administration. After completing 15 hours of learning, participants are guaranteed at least one interview with a local employer.

Carlsbad City Library provides access to this great resource in partnership with the City of Carlsbad. You are not required to be a Carlsbad resident or a library card holder to take advantage of this great resource! If you have a San Diego zip code, you can access the Job Readiness Room from the library’s eResource page. For more information on how to enroll, email librarian@carlsbadca.gov.
Peter McBride Author Event
Wednesday, June 21, 5:30 p.m.
Gowland Meeting Room, Dove Library
1775 Dove Lane
For Teen and Adult Readers
 
Join teacher author Peter McBride BA, MEd, to discuss his book “Dropping in on the Waves of Life: Tales on the Way to Becoming an Adult.” The book is about his life experiences and lessons learned from surfing and some not, told with humor and warmth. Find out why the author hopes reading this book will make a positive difference in your life and those around you.

No registration required.
Write on! "Find Your Voice"
Georgina Cole Library
1250 Carlsbad Village Drive
Friday, June 23, 1 2:30 p.m.

Do you have a story to tell, but can’t get started? Join this workshop led by Patricia Benesh, Ed.D and bring some story ideas or a previous draft to get a jump start.

No registration required.
Grow Your Garden
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
1775 Dove Lane
Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m. noon
Swap crops & socialize: 10 – 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – noon
Workshop: 10:30 11:30 a.m.

For community members interested in gardening and exchanging plants and produce with their neighbors. The opportunity to swap succulents, seeds, fruit, vegetables and herbs can promote local sustainability and foster a sense of community. Join us for a discussion with Dr. David Boucher, a Master Gardener, to learn valuable insights and knowledge on successful vegetable gardening. No registration required.
Promoting Literacy with "The Right to Read"
Schulman Auditorium
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
1775 Dove Lane
Saturday, June 24, 9:30 a.m. noon

Carlsbad City Library is proud to present a screening of the award-winning documentary “The Right to Read,” produced by LeVar Burton. The event is sponsored by the San Diego Council on Literacy (Carlsbad City Library is an affiliate program of the Council on Literacy.) This film shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of lifelong success: the ability to read.
Teen Talent Show
Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane
1775 Dove Lane
Thursday, July 13, 6 p.m.

Know a teen in grades 7 to 12? Tell the teen in your life to join the annual Teen Talent Show! Teens can showcase their amazing singing, dancing, reading of original works or other talents in front of a live audience. Members of the community of all ages are invited to watch. The top three performers will receive rewards such as a Lego Guitar, HP Sprocket Photo printer or a Cricut Joy. Teens can email libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov for more information or register here.
Genealogy
 
FamilySearch Affiliate 
The Georgina Cole Library is home to one of the largest genealogy collections in Southern California. Carlsbad City Library was recently awarded Affiliate status for FamilySearch, the largest genealogy association in the world. There are only a few hundred affiliate libraries in the country; the designation means Carlsbad City Library patrons will now have greater and more convenient access to over 6 billion searchable names and 2 billion images of genealogical records

These digital records include images and name indexes. Currently, there are about 400 million original records available in a digital format that affiliate libraries have access to. Make plans to come in and explore these newly available records and take advantage of the opportunity to expand your knowledge about your own family’s origin story. 
 
Focus On: Newspapers 
Tuesday, June 20, 2 4 p.m. 
Library Learning Center  
3368 Eureka Place, upstairs computer lab
 
Learn how to mine our three newspaper databases for historical and genealogical information to add context and color to your family histories. This class will include an overview of Newspapers.com World Collection (aka Library Edition), Heritage Hub and America’s Historical Newspapers. 
   
Genealogy Partnership Programs   
For a list of free, monthly partnership programs offered by Carlsbad City Library and the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, please view the genealogy programs calendar.   
Exploration HUB
Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane
  
Come in and use the Exploration HUB, Carlsbad City Library’s technology lab and makerspace located at the Dove Library! 
  
Sign up for a free class and try something new. Classes are for patrons 13 and older unless otherwise indicated. 

Wednesday, June 21, 5 – 6:30 p.m. 

Get an introduction to Tinkercad 3D design software and learn how to manipulate shapes to create a guitar pick. It will be printed on the Dremel 3D printer so you can make music with your personalized guitar pick.  
  
Thursday, June 22, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. 

Advance your Arduino skills by learning how to connect and control RGB (red, green, blue) LEDs with Arduino and add some color to your electronics projects. Arduino kits will be provided.
Staff Book Reviews

Get to know our staff members and be introduced to items in the library collection that may be new or unfamiliar.

Denise R., part of our Genealogy and Carlsbad team, recommends "The Lions of Fifth Avenue" by Fiona Davis.

"I enjoyed reading The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis.  The story follows two generations of women that lived and worked at the New York Public Library in 1913 and 1993. Each chapter focused on a different era.  The themes include; the impact of family secrets, a mystery about stolen books, women’s rights and their roles in society throughout history.  It was interesting to read the description about the New York Public Library’s unique architecture and the apartment for the caretaker and his family to reside in. You will enjoy reading this book because it includes a mystery, genealogy research, family secrets and the importance of preserving history."

Try our free Personalized Reading Recommendation Service for additional reading suggestions.
Take the Pledge: Safer Streets Together

National traffic safety trends show a dramatic increase in traffic-related deaths, with the first quarter of 2022 showing the highest number of deaths in two decades. Here in Carlsbad, injury collisions involving bikes and e-bikes have increased over 200% since 2019. 

Show your commitment to safer streets together in 2023. Take the pledge to do your part to keep Carlsbad’s streets safe for everyone who drives, bikes and walks in our beautiful community. 

After taking the pledge for safer streets, order a free yard sign or window cling to share your commitment with your friends and neighbors. Learn more at carlsbadca.gov/saferstreets.  
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.


All Carlsbad City Library location hours
Monday - Thursday
9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
THREE LOCATIONS