April 3-9, is National Library Week, and the theme this year is “Connect with Your Library.” The City of Carlsbad is making it fun and easy with its 2022 Carlsbad Reads Together, an annual program that brings community members together and encourages them to read the same selection of books at the same time.

All through the month of April, Carlsbad City Library will host in-person and virtual events, including book discussions, classes, and art activities, for adults, teens and youth. Participation is free and the books being featured are available for checkout through the Library’s Catalog online.

At a Glance                                                                                                              

• The 2022 Carlsbad Reads Together adult book selection is The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.
• The Spanish language selection is La mitad evanescente, by Brit Bennett.
• The teen book selection is Slay, by Brittney Morris.
• The children’s book selection is Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller of Pura Belpré, by Anika Denise.
• All events are free. Space is limited and registration is required. Register for events here.

Events and activities

A highlight this year will be An Evening with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, who wrote this year’s Carlsbad Reads Together adult book selection, The Personal Librarian. This virtual event will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. April 28 and will feature a discussion by the authors followed by an audience Q&A. Register here.

Other Carlsbad Reads Together activities include:

• Adult Book Club discussions about The Personal Librarian, held virtually or in-person on April 5, 6, 14 and 25.

• A Spanish Language Book Club discussion about La mitad evanescente on April 19.
• Memory Jar Kits, tied to this year’s book, which allow adults to capture and cherish special moments. Registration will begin April 4 and the activity will run through the entire month of April or while supplies last.
• Classes in the Exploration HUB, the library’s technology lab, inspired by The Personal Librarian, and Slay. Open to people 13 and older with a valid library card.
• Virtual book clubs for children in grades 1-3 and 4-6, on Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller of Pura Belpré.
• Puppet-making for children in kindergarten through grade 5, with a make-and-take kit from the Children’s Services desk at the Dove and Cole Library locations and from the Information Desk at the Library Learning Center, while supplies last.
• A virtual Teen Book Club discussion on Slay. Email libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov for details and a Zoom invitation.
• Create-your-own Card Game kits for teen in grades 6-12 inspired by the book, Slay. Email libraryteens@carlsbadca.gov with your name and library pick-up location.

More Information

Carlsbad Reads Together webpage
Carlsbad Reads Together calendar of events