ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (June 5, 2026) – Join OC Public Libraries in celebrating 250 years of the United States with a summer of stories, history, and community. In honor of America’s semi quincentennial, OCPL is offering a variety of programs that highlight the people, places, and moments that shaped our nation. Throughout the season, branches will host patriotic crafts, musical performances, trivia nights, and special author events that bring American history and culture to life for readers of all ages.
As part of this celebration, OC Public Libraries is also promoting the Read Across America 2026 Reading Challenge, a yearlong journey that invites readers to explore stories from coast to coast. Log your reading, complete activities, and earn badges as you travel through America’s literary landscape. Choose your reading goal of 100 Books, 100 Hours, or 100 Days and sign up at ocpl.beanstack.org. Limited edition America 250 library cards will also be available in July while supplies last.
Author Events
| WHO: | Steve Sheinkin is an acclaimed author of fast paced and cinematic nonfiction for young readers. A former textbook writer, he is known for creating compelling narratives that bring history to life. His books cover a wide timeline of American history and include King George: What Was His Problem? and The American Revolution, a Newbery Honor book, along with Bomb, Fallout, Undefeated, Born to Fly, The Port Chicago 50, Impossible Escape, and The Bletchley Riddle. He is widely recognized for transforming complex historical events into engaging and accessible stories for young readers.
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| EVENT SCHEDULE: | Monday, June 22 at 1 PM Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library 1855 Park Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Tuesday, June 23 at 1 PM Garden Grove Chapman Library 9182 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92841
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| WHO: | Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author whose books inspire curiosity and wonder in young readers. Her titles have received numerous honors, including selections by the Junior Library Guild and Bank Street College of Education, as well as the E. B. White Read Aloud Medal. Kate Messner is the author of History Smashers, a popular middle-grade nonfiction series that debunks common myths and explores the hidden truths behind major events in American history. Aimed at readers ages 8 to 12, the books use a fast-paced mix of graphics, sidebars, and illustrations to make historical facts engaging and accurate.
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| EVENT SCHEDULE: | Thursday, July 23 at 1 PM Tustin Library 345 E. Main Street, Tustin, CA 92780
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Library Programs
Patriotic Crafts
Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10:00am
Laguna Woods Library
24266 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Get ready to celebrate Flag Day and Independence Day with this special all ages craft workshop! Join us to make pinwheels, pennants, and more to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.
Craig Newton: An American Musical Journey
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 10:00am
Laguna Woods Library
24266 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with musician Craig Newton, who will be sharing popular songs from a variety of time periods in our nation’s history using 10 different instruments.
USA 250th Anniversary Trivia
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 5:30pm
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
Celebrate 250 years of the United States with an evening of trivia, surprising history, pop culture, and all-American fun! Test your knowledge of the people, moments, and milestones that shaped the nation as you compete for exciting 250th anniversary-themed prizes. Bring your friends, your team spirit, and your best trivia skills!
For more information about the Read Across America: 2026 Reading Challenge, please visit https://ocpl.org/read-across-america-2026-reading-challenge
OC Public Libraries (OCPL)
OC Public Libraries is a vibrant network of 29 branches, and a satellite location at the Orangewood Children and Family Center, delivering vital library services across the county. With a strong commitment to early literacy, OCPL nurtures a passion for reading in young learners, while also providing robust programs and resources for teens, seniors, and everyone in between. Offering access to over 1.7 million materials, as well as a vast range of online resources and streaming services, OCPL empowers individuals at every stage of life. Our mission is rooted in promoting lifelong learning, fostering community connections, and ensuring free, open access to knowledge and tools that enrich lives. Through innovative programming, we support diverse needs, encourage personal growth, and strengthen the fabric of our community. Our services help people of all ages thrive. At OC Public Libraries, books are just the beginning.
More information at https://ocpl.org/
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