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
Photography Workshop for teens Thursdays July 2 - 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).
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.
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.
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 23, and Friday, July 24, 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 p.m.	Ages 5 to 11 Make your own plant friend! Decorate your container and watch your pal grow grass hair!
Virtual Author Talk: Katherine Rundell Thursday July 30, 10 - 10:45 a.m.	Ages 9+ The Library Speakers Consortium presents a virtual author talk with Katherine Rundell, author of Impossible Creatures, and The Poisoned King. We'll watch together in the library's meeting room!
Meet the Pratt Plants Thursday July 30 2 -3 p.m.	Ages 5 to 11 The Pratt Museum has a fantastic botanical collection! Meet Librarian Cinda and Pratt Educator Hannah at the museum. We'll learn about it from the Pratt staff, read a story and do a fun activity! For kids grades k-6. Registration required.
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!