Summer Reading 2026

2026 Summer Reading Program: Plant a Seed, Read

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June 15 – August 2

This summer, OC Public Libraries is offering a reading challenge, in-branch programming, grab & go craft kits, author events, reading lists and at select branch locations, Lunch at the Library. Participate in our weekly scavenger hunts and activities, return each week for something new to find!

Follow OC Public Libraries on Facebook and Instagram for crafts, food literacy, special programming and other fun and educational content.

For questions, please call or visit your local OC Public Libraries branch.

Summer Reading Program Flyers

English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Korean

Japanese | Chinese Traditional | Chinese Simplified

Kickoff Event

Monday, June 15, 2026
11:00am - 2:00pm

11:00am
Author Talk with Ben Clanton, complimentary books available, while supplies last.

12:30pm
Michael Rayner comedy juggling show

11:00am - 2:00pm
Crafts and refreshments, while supplies last

Ben Clanton is a lot like a mutant potato. He too enjoys mud, eating stuff, and playing games. When Ben isn’t doing these things (and sometimes when he is), he likes to make books. Books like the Tater Tales series, It Came in the Mail, Something Extraordinary, and the New York Times bestselling Narwhal and Jelly series.

Aliso Viejo Library
1 Journey
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Summer Reading Challenge

June 15 – August 2
Preregister starting June 1
Begin logging June 15

Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at ocpl.beanstack.org or download the free Beanstack app. Set up one account and add all the readers in your family! Complete fun activities to earn virtual badges.

Branch Events

OC Public Libraries offers a variety of child, teen, adult, and family events.

Click here to view events happening at your local branch.

Lunch at the Library

Lunch at the Library provides children and teens 18 and under with free summer meals, reading programs, and other activities that support learning, health, and wellness.

No registration is required. Meals are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Lunch at the Library Flyers:
English
Korean
Persian
Spanish
Vietnamese

Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library

June 15 - July 10
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days
June 25 - Clifford
July 9 - Rainbow Fish

El Toro Library

June 15 – August 7
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days
June 17 - Wild Thing
August 7 - Esteban, the Green Crayon

Garden Grove Chapman Library

June 1 - July 16
Monday - Thursday
Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days
June 10 - Paddington Bear
July 15 - Froggy

San Juan Capistrano Library

June 15 - August 7
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days
June 30 - Cookie Mouse
July 21 - Red Crayon

Tustin Library

June 1 – July 31
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

Character Days
June 1 - Elephant & Piggie
July 30 - Curious George

Author Events

Author Marcelo Verdad

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 10:30am

El Toro Library
24672 Raymond Way
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Author Steve Sheinkin

Monday, June 22, 2026 at 1:00pm

Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
1855 Park Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Author Steve Sheinkin

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 1:00pm

Garden Grove Chapman Library
9182 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841

Author Wendy Xu

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 1:00pm

El Toro Library
24672 Raymond Way
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Author Andy Harkness

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 1:00pm

Garden Grove Chapman Library
9182 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841

Author Joey Spiotto

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 1:00pm

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Author Benson Shum

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 11:00am

Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780

Author Mike Alfaro

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 1:00pm

San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Author Kate Messner

Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 1:00pm

Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780

Teen Workshops

Text reads "OC Public Libraries Presents TEEN Resume Development & Interview Skills Workshop Series" featuring illustration of young person sitting at a table with sign that says "Interview" in front of hand holding paper with person's photo on it. Logos bottom: OC Public Libraries, Lunch at the Library, California State Library. — Lunch at the Library Teen Workshops_Landing Page.png

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? In these interactive workshops, you’ll get hands-on experience in creating strong resumes and acing interviews. We’ll guide you through what makes a resume stand out to employers, as well as the key skills and strategies to help you shine in interviews.

No registration required.

Costa Mesa
Donald Dungan Library

Monday, June 15, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Building Your Future – Level UP Your Resume!
Monday, June 29, 2026 at 1:00 pm – What to Say and Do to Land Your First Job – Interview Prep
Monday, July 6, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Career Café – Teen Coaching and Mock Interviews

El Toro
Library

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 2:00 pm – Building Your Future – Level UP Your Resume!
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 at 2:00 pm – What to Say and Do to Land Your First Job – Interview Prep
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 2:00 pm – Career Café – Teen Coaching and Mock Interviews

Garden Grove
Chapman Library

Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Building Your Future – Level UP Your Resume!
Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 1:00 pm – What to Say and Do to Land Your First Job – Interview Prep
Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Career Café – Teen Coaching and Mock Interviews

San Juan Capistrano
Library

Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Building Your Future – Level UP Your Resume!
Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 1:00 pm – What to Say and Do to Land Your First Job – Interview Prep
Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Career Café – Teen Coaching and Mock Interviews

Tustin
Library

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Building Your Future – Level UP Your Resume!
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 1:00 pm – What to Say and Do to Land Your First Job – Interview Prep
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 1:00 pm – Career Café – Teen Coaching and Mock Interviews

Reading Lists

This summer’s reading lists aim to guide us in the many ways we find our voices, whether it’s through listening first, new activities, or turning inwardly to hone our strengths.

These book lists span multiple genres, and ages – from primary to adult. Visit your local branch to find your next summer read!

Reading Lists:
Children Grades PreK - 3
Children Grades 3 - 6
Youth Grades 6 - 9
Teens
Adults

Thanks to our supporters for their continued generosity.

2026 Summer Reading Program: Plant a Seed, Read

June 15 – August 2

This summer, OC Public Libraries is offering a reading challenge, in-branch programming, grab & go craft kits, author events, reading lists and at select branch locations, Lunch at the Library. Participate in our weekly scavenger hunts and activities, return each week for something new to find!

Follow OC Public Libraries on Facebook and Instagram for crafts, food literacy, special programming and other fun and educational content.

Summer Reading Program Flyers

English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Korean

Japanese | Chinese Traditional | Chinese Simplified

Kickoff Event

Monday, June 15, 202611:00am - 2:00pm

Summer Reading Challenge

June 15 – August 2Preregister starting June 1Begin logging June 15

Branch Events

OC Public Libraries offers a variety of child, teen, adult, and family events.

Lunch at the Library

Lunch at the Library provides children and teens 18 and under with free summer meals, reading programs, and other activities that support learning, health, and wellness.

June 15 - July 10Monday - FridayNoon - 1:00pm

June 15 – August 7Monday - FridayNoon - 1:00pm

June 1 - July 16Monday - ThursdayNoon - 1:00pm

June 15 - August 7Monday - FridayNoon - 1:00pm

June 1 – July 31Monday - FridayNoon - 1:00pm

Author Events

Author Marcelo Verdad

Author Steve Sheinkin

Author Steve Sheinkin

Author Wendy Xu

Author Andy Harkness

Author Joey Spiotto

Author Benson Shum

Author Mike Alfaro

Author Kate Messner

Teen Workshops

No registration required.

Reading Lists

This summer’s reading lists aim to guide us in the many ways we find our voices, whether it’s through listening first, new activities, or turning inwardly to hone our strengths.

Thanks to our supporters for their continued generosity.

Monday, June 15, 2026
11:00am - 2:00pm

June 15 – August 2
Preregister starting June 1
Begin logging June 15

June 15 - July 10
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

June 15 – August 7
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

June 1 - July 16
Monday - Thursday
Noon - 1:00pm

June 15 - August 7
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm

June 1 – July 31
Monday - Friday
Noon - 1:00pm