Join us for a Season of Discovery!

Enjoy reading challenges, hands-on activities, and special events for all ages. From workshops and author talks to jazz performances, there is something for everyone, and everyone wins.

Programs and Events
Limited Edition Library Cards
Summer Reading Book Lists
Visit Beanstack , opens a new window

How to Participate

Read or Do an Activity This Summer at OPL

Complete 20 activities to win a free book and tote bag while supplies last.

Fun activities to do this summer include:

Read Books
Get personalized reading recommendations through Book me, opens a new window
Attend a Storytime, opens a new window with your child
Make jewelry, ice cream, or candles, opens a new window
Attend library programs and events
Check out art exhibits, opens a new window
Sign up for Libby, opens a new window and check out an e-book
Sign up for Discover and Go, opens a new window and visit a museum
Read newspaper articles, opens a new window for free
Write a book review for all the books you read this summer
Learn how to write a book review , opens a new window

And so much more!

Take a selfie of your adventures this summer, post on socials and tag/share with us: @oaklibrary, opens a new window #OPLSummer

Log your Activities on Beanstack

Pick up a Children's Summer Discovery Map

Children can also document their summer reading and activities using the Summer Discovery Map, a fun interactive tool and keepsake.

Fun Activities to Explore this Summer

Read a book about Fun!
Attend a Storytime
Build.Make.Play
Participate in Family Game Night
Meet, pet and learn about animals
Check out a read-along book
Get a new limited edition library card
Read to a dog
Participate in a soccer camp
Learn about Mayan culture
Enjoy performances, a circus, and puppet show

Children's Discovery Maps are available at all library branches,, opens a new window or via download.

Prizes

Children

Grand Prizes for Children:

Oakland Feather River Family Camp, opens a new window 3-night stay (Labor Day 2026 or Summer 2027) for a family of 4
Golden State Warriors Tickets, opens a new window 4 General Admission tickets for a 2026-27 game (blackout dates apply)
Nintendo Switch, opens a new window (Original)
Children's Fairyland Family Membership, opens a new window

Other Prizes:

The Bookmark , opens a new windowGift Certificates
Golden State Valkyries, opens a new window Swag Bags
Chabot Space and Science Center, opens a new window Family Membership
Folkmanis Puppets, opens a new window
Lake Merritt Boating Center, opens a new window Rental Passes
Larry E. Reid Sports Center, opens a new window Pool Passes
San Francisco Giants, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Roots SC, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Ballers, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Zoo, opens a new window Tickets
Raising Cane's, opens a new window Meal Certificates
San Francisco Bay Ferry, opens a new window Vouchers
Subpar Miniature Golf, opens a new window Certificates
The MADE, opens a new window (The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment) passes

Teens

Grand Prizes for Teens:

Golden State Warriors, opens a new window Tickets 4 General Admission tickets for a 2026-27 game (blackout dates apply)
Nintendo Switch Lite, opens a new window
Chromebook
Beats Headphones
$200 Grocery Store Gift Card
LEGO, opens a new window Kit of Choice (up to $200)

Other Prizes:

$50 Gift Certificates
Lake Merritt Boating Center, opens a new window Rental Passes
Golden State Valkyries, opens a new window Swag Bags
Larry E. Reid Sports Center, opens a new window Pool Passes
San Francisco Giants, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Roots SC, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Ballers, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Zoo, opens a new window Tickets
Raising Cane's, opens a new window Meal Certificates
Subpar Miniature Golf, opens a new window Certificates
The MADE, opens a new window (The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment) passes

Adults

Grand Prizes for Adults:

iPad
$150 Grocery Gift Cards

Other Prizes:

San Francisco Giants, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Roots SC, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Ballers, opens a new window Tickets
Oakland Zoo, opens a new window Tickets
Golden State Valkyries, opens a new window Swag Bags
The MADE, opens a new window (The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment) passes
Lake Merritt Boating Center, opens a new window Rental Passes
The Bookmark , opens a new windowGift Certificates
San Francisco Bay Ferry, opens a new window Vouchers

Downloads

Children's Discovery Map

English, opens a new window

Spanish, opens a new window

Chinese, opens a new window

Vietnamese, opens a new window

Arabic, opens a new window

Events

Learn to Cook with Chef Terry

Jul 7th | 1:00pm–2:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Teens: Learn Bargello Needlepoint

Jul 9th | 1:30pm–2:30pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Learn to Cook with Chef Terry

Jul 7th | 1:00pm–2:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Teens: Learn Bargello Needlepoint

Jul 9th | 1:30pm–2:30pm

Various locations, dates, and times

By Location

Lakeview ›
Main ›
MLK Jr. ›
Melrose ›
Montclair ›
Piedmont ›
Rockridge ›
Temescal ›
West Oakland ›

Track your Summer Reading , opens a new window

for Children

View more events › , opens a new window

Little Explorers Petting Zoo

Jul 11th | 10:00am–12:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Kamishibai Paper Theater with Erica

July 14th | 6:30pm–7:30pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Try It Truck

Jul 10th | 12:00pm–2:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Little Explorers Petting Zoo

Jul 11th | 10:00am–12:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Kamishibai Paper Theater with Erica

July 14th | 6:30pm–7:30pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Try It Truck

Jul 10th | 12:00pm–2:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

for Teens

View more events › , opens a new window

Cooking with Oakland Bloom

Jul 18th | 3:00pm–5:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Teens! Machine Sewing 101, part of a series

Jul 7th | 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library TeenZone

View all dates

Teens: Make Tiny Art at Chávez

Jul 30th | 1:30pm - 3:30pm

César E. Chávez Branch

Cooking with Oakland Bloom

Jul 18th | 3:00pm–5:00pm

Various locations, dates, and times

Teens! Machine Sewing 101, part of a series

Jul 7th | 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Main Library TeenZone

View all dates

Teens: Make Tiny Art at Chávez

Jul 30th | 1:30pm - 3:30pm

César E. Chávez Branch

for Adults

View more events › , opens a new window

A Summer of Spike Lee Joints, part of a series

Jul 7th | 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Elmhurst Branch

View all dates

Test Your U.S. History Knowledge!

Jul 11th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Main Library

Virtual Watercolor Class with Victoria Elizabeth

Jul 14th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Online Event

A Summer of Spike Lee Joints, part of a series

Jul 7th | 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Elmhurst Branch

View all dates

Test Your U.S. History Knowledge!

Jul 11th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Main Library

Virtual Watercolor Class with Victoria Elizabeth

Jul 14th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Online Event

Limited Edition Library Cards

Oakland Public Library is teaming up with Oakland Roots SC, opens a new window and Oakland Soul SC, opens a new window for a special Summer 2026 limited-edition library card celebrating community, literacy, and the love of soccer.

Pick up your limited-edition card at all Oakland Public Library locations while supplies last starting May 18th.