Summer @HPL 2026

Reading Challenge: June 6-July 31

Track your reading to earn prizes!
Additional prizes are awarded at Level 4 and Level 8!
Turn in your reading logs by 6 pm on Friday, July 31 to have them count for prize giveaways at the End of Summer Reading Party on Saturday, August 1!

*Summer reading programs are a key way for school age children to prevent “summer slide” in their reading skills. “Summer slide” is a decrease in skills gained during the school year, which can happen over the summer. National studies from Dominican University show that children who participate in public library summer reading programs do better on reading achievement tests in the fall than those who do not.

Weekly Events
Story Walk Trail Everyday May-August	All ages Explore a picture book as you walk the Library's Story Trail.
Outdoor Adventures and Stories with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Tuesdays June 16-July 28, 1:30 - 3 p.m.	Ages 6 to 9 Join the CACS day campers, their counselors, and Youth Services Librarian Cinda for read-alouds, games, and crafts on the library’s greenway. Registration required.
Kids Chess Club Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.	Ages kindergarten and up. Come play chess with others, find your opponents, and learn strategies.
Toddler Story Time Every Wednesday 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.	Ages under 3, and their caregivers Stories, songs, and silliness for 20-25 minutes followed by an activity.
Read, weed and water Wednesdays June 10-July 29 2 - 3 p.m.	All ages Join librarian Cinda and Gardener Saskia for a story and to care for the library's garden.
Lego Club Every Wednesday 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.	Ages kindergarten and up Join us for Lego fun! Use the library's Lego bricks and your imagination to build something new every week!
Preschool Story Time Fridays 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.	Ages 3 to 6, and their caregivers Stories, songs, and silliness for 30-40 minutes followed by an activity. For 3-6 and their caregivers.

Additional Events
Garden Party Saturday June 6, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	All ages. It's the summer reading kick-off garden party! Join us outside as we plant seeds in the library's summer garden! Watch circus performers and play circus games from 10:30-11:30! Catch a performance of The Garden, a Frog and Toad story at 11:30! Sign up for the summer reading challenge!
Story Time at Bishop's Beach Tuesday, June 9, 10:30 a.m.	Ages 0 to six Meet Librarian Cinda and BOB the Bookmobile at Bishop's beach for a beach-themed story time!
Teens Read (with snacks!) Thursday June 11, 4:30 - 6 p.m.	Ages 12 and up Hang out and read together! Bring a book from home or check out one from the library and then head to the meeting room for some social reading!
Waves to Words Fun Run Saturday June 13, 11:30 a.m.	All ages Meet in the KBBI parking lot at 3913 Kachemak Way, for a fun run down to the library! Books or radio related costumes are very much encouraged! BOB the Bookmobile will be on hand at the end of the run! This event is part of the celebration of the library building's 20th anniversary.
Music Workshops with the Lingonberries Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. for 3-6 graders 4 - 5 p.m. for grade 7 and up	This Kodiak band is touring the Kenai Peninsula and wants to make music with you! Join them to create and compose music on the spot. Registration required for the two session workshop.
Radio Story Time on KBBI Thursday, June 18, 10-11 a.m.	All Ages Listen as Librarian Cinda and guests share stories, songs and silliness on the radio! Call in to say hello!
Nature Journal Workshop for Teens Thursday, June 18, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.	Ages 12+ Join artist and writer Kristin Link for a hands-on workshop to create nature journals. Supplies provided. Registration required.
Growing New Plants from Old ones: Propagation Workshop Monday, June 22, 2 - 3 p.m.	Ages 6-10 Learn about how to grow new plants from old ones, also known as propagation! Take home a plant to care for.
Book Club Zoey and Sassafrass: Grumplets and Pests Monday June 22, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.	Ages Elementary Pick up your copy of this early chapter book from the library's front desk after you register. Read it and then come to the meeting to chat about it! The book is yours to keep. Registration is required.
Seed Paper Workshop Tuesday June 23, 4:30 - 6 p.m.	Ages 12+ Learn one way to make paper! Be prepared to get messy and have fun.
Book Bingo Thursday, June 25, 3 - 4 p.m.	Ages 5 to 10 Fill your squares and win small prizes!
Photography Workshop for teens Thursdays June 25 - July 16, 4 - 5:30 p.m.	Ages 12+ Professional photographer Christopher Kincaid will provide tips to help you become a better photographer! Bring your own camera (phones cameras will work if that's what you have).
Make a Plant Micro-Habitat Monday, June 29, 2 - 3 p.m.	Ages 6 to 10 Create a micro habitat for plants! Supplies provided. Registration required.
Karoake Sing Along Monday, June 29, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.	All ages Belt out some tunes with the library's new karaoke machine!
Book Club The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden Monday, July 6, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.	Ages Elementary Pick up a copy of the book at the library's front desk after you register. Read it and join us for book related activities and conversation.
American Sign Language Club Mondays, July 6 - July 27, 2-3 p.m.	Ages 6 to 11 Learn some ASL basics with Sherry Pederson as well as how to sign all about seeds, plants, gardens, and reading.
Games for Teens and Tweens Tuesday, July 7, 4:30 - 6 p.m.	Ages 12+ Come and play garden and plant-themed board games! Not boring!
Book Bingo for Preschoolers Thursday, July 9, 11:30 a.m -12:15 p.m.	Ages 4-6 Preschoolers can learn to find the answers on their card and win prizes!
Potted Pals Monday, July 13, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.	Ages 12+ Make your own plant friend! Decorate your container, and watch your pal grow grass hair!
Seed Paper Workshop for kids! Tuesday, July 14, 4:30 - 6 p.m.	Ages 5-10 Make your own seed paper! Fun and messy!
Reverse Book Club for Teens Monday, July 20, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.	Ages 12+ Come talk about what you've been reading and share recommendations with others! Registration required. Participants receive a gift certificate to the Homer Bookstore.
Family Story Time on the Spit Thursday, July 23, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.	Ages 0+ Join Librarian Cinda at the Boat House Pavillion for a boat and fishing themed story time.
Lego Contest Drop-off Thursday, July 23 - Wednesday, July 29	All Ages Bring your original Lego creation on the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" to the library to enter the contest. All entries must arrive by Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m. Contest winners will be announced at the End of the Summer Reading Program Party.
Fairy House Workshop Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.	All Ages Create a small house for your favorite garden or indoor fairy! Supplies provided. If you are under 5, please bring a grown-up to help. The workshop is two sessions, in case you need the second day.
Potted Pals for Kids Monday July 27 3:30-5	Ages 5 to 11 Make your own plant friend! Decorate your container and watch your pal grow grass hair!
Turn in your reading logs! Friday, July 31 by 6 p.m.	Make sure to turn in your reading logs to be entered into drawings for reading challenge prizes!
Harvest of Readers! Saturday, Aug. 1, 5:30 - 7:30	End of Summer Reading Party—games, music, prizes, hot dogs and ice cream! Winners of the Lego contest will be announced! All summer reading participants and their families are welcome!