Check here for answers to common Summer Reading questions we've received about how to participate, log your reading, prizes, etc.
Question: Can my kids do the Summer Reading Program more than once?
Answer: Summer Reading is a one-time opportunity, so once your children have completed it, they are done. We love that your kiddos are such amazing readers, though!
Question: Can I pick up my prizes from any library location?
Answer: You can redeem your reading log for prizes at any HBPL location! At branch libraries, visit the public service desk, and at Central Library, visit the Children's Desk or Research & Information (Reference) Desk. All prizes must be picked by Saturday, August 10. All prizes are available while supplies last.
Question: How do I complete the Summer Reading Program?
Answer: This year, parents/kids can log their reading by going online to hbpl.beanstack.com, through the Beanstack app, OR by using a paper reading log. The goal for teens and kids ages 0-17 is to read 20 minutes per day (980 minutes total). Adults are challenged to read 5 books.
Question: I have a toddler/preschool/baby. Can I just log the number of books I read with them?
Answer: We love that you are reading with your little ones! We don't offer reading logs that count the number of books, though. Trying to convert picture books into minutes read? Estimate about 10 minutes per picture book. So, if you read two picture books with your little ones, you've probably spent about 20 minutes reading, talking about the artwork on each page, and answering any questions that came up from your little learner!
Question: Do I need to create an account in Beanstack again even though I have participated in Summer Reading before?
Answer: No, you do not! If you have participated in any other HBPL reading programs, you probably already have an account. Before creating a new account, try logging in first. If you are having problems logging into your account, call the Children's Department at 714-375-5107 and we can assist you with a password reset.
Contact the library by email library@hbpl.org or by calling 714-375-5107.
Summer Reading is back and better than ever at the Huntington Beach Public Library! Get ready for exciting events, engaging stories, and plenty of programs designed to spark creativity and foster a lifelong love of reading. From captivating reads to hands-on crafting and book clubs, there's never a dull moment at HBPL.
So grab your map, your library card, and your sense of wonder - the adventure of a lifetime awaits at HBPL! Explore this webpage to learn more about our events & activities and register for the reading challenge, or visit your favorite HBPL location for help discovering your next adventure at the library.
June 22 - August 10, 2024.
Register in-person at any HBPL branch or online at www.hbpl.beanstack.com.
This summer, HBPL challenges people of all ages to read more! Register for the challenge to receive a reusable Summer Reading book tote, then track your reading between June 22 and August 10 using our online tracker or a paper reading log (available at any HBPL location). Complete the challenge by August 10 to receive a coupon for a free book from the FOTL Used Book Sale!
All prizes available while supplies last.
Saturday, June 22, 10am - 2pm in front of the Central Library.
Join the Friends of the Children's Library for the annual all-ages Summer Kickoff Carnival! There will be games, crafts, activities, and food, as well as four fun ticketed performances: Franklin Haynes Marionettes at 10am; Wild Wonders Animal Show at 11am; Christopher T. Magician at 12pm; and an Author Meet & Greet with Toni Haas at 1pm! While you're here for the fun, be sure to register for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge!
BINGO cards available June 22 - August 10 at all HBPL locations.
Embark on a citywide adventure as you explore Huntington Beach parks, history, and more in this fun BINGO card activity! With activities like "Dig into history at the Newland House Museum" and "Soak up summer fun at one of HB's five beaches," this citywide adventure is fun and open to all ages. Complete a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of activities on the Surf City Summer Safari BINGO card to earn a Surf City sticker. Bring your completed BINGO sheet to any HBPL location to claim your prize!
Thursday, July 25, 4-5pm at Central Library. For all ages. Registration required - register HERE.
Join us for Snackventure, where your taste buds become the explorers! Whether you're a seasoned snack connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Snackventure promises an epic flavor adventure for all ages. Participants will sample global snacks and savor the distinctive tastes and textures that define different cultures, sample snacks from every corner of the globe, rate and vote for the snacks you love the most, and meet other culinary adventurers. At the end of the evening, we'll crown the top snacks from the event! Pack your appetite and join us at Snackventure, where every bite is a new discovery!
June 22 - August 10 at all HBPL locations! Register in person at any branch, or online at hbpl.beanstack.com.
HBPL challenges kids ages 0-12 to spend 20 minutes per day reading (or being read to) this summer! Complete the challenge by reading 980 minutes before August 10, and earn a free book from the FOTL Used Book Sale, plus other fun prizes along the way. Register online or in-person at any HBPL library location. When you register, you'll get a Summer Reading reusable book tote - the perfect bag to carry all of your fun summer books!
All prizes available while supplies last.
Friday, June 28, 11am at the Banning Branch Library. Registration required - click image to register.
In this fun and educational LIVE animal program, participants will meet and explore a variety of fascinating animals from all over the world! Laugh and learn as we explore the vital roles these animals play in their ecosystems as well as how we ALL can be responsible stewards of our beautiful planet.
Registration for this fun live animal show is required, and opens on Friday, June 21, at 11am.
Monday, July 8, 2 & 3pm in the Central Library Tabby Theater. Registration required - click image to register.
Join us for a fun, educational, LIVE animal storytime featuring special guests from the Newport Beach Environmental Nature Center! An ENC Traveling Naturalist will fun stories from classic children's stories, then the audience gets to meet the LIVE animal characters from the books. At the end of the session, kids will get to meet and interact with the animals.
Registration for this fun special storytime is required, and opens on Monday, July 1, at 2pm.
Saturday, July 13, 11am at the Main Street Branch. Registration required - click image to register.
The Main Street Library is going wild... for Wild Wonders, that is! See, touch, and learn more about animals from all over the world at the Wild Wonders Walk on the Wild Side Animal Show on July 13 at 11:00 AM. This event is not recommended for children ages 5 and under, due to the length and lecture style of the program. All children must be closely supervised by a parent or caregiver at all times during the show.
Registration for this fun animal education event is required, and opens on Saturday, July 6, at 11am.
Friday, July 19, 11am at the Helen Murphy Branch Library. Registration required - click image to register.
Books can take you anywhere... so can balloons!
With balloon costumes and props, Annie Banannie uses her Balloon Theater to transport the whole audience to amazing places that they choose!
Registration for this interactive balloon storytelling show is required, and opens on Friday, July 12, at 11am.
Saturday, July 27, 2 & 4pm in the Central Library Theater. Registration required - click image to register.
POWERHOUSE!!! combines innovative tap, precision clogging, Irish step dancing, and explosive stomp into an electrifying dance experience! The show is highly interactive, exciting for all ages, culturally significant and contemporary at the same time. Join us and tap, step, clog, and stomp away! This show is recommended for all ages. Children ages 12 & under must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration for this interactive dance show is required, and opens on Saturday, July 6, at 2pm.
Monday, July 29, 6pm at the Oak View Branch Library. Registration required - click image to register.
Michael’s show has been described as “preposterous brilliance” and “whacky jugglement,” a combination of hilarious tricks and stunts with uproarious stand-up!
His signature trick is spinning a Burger King cheeseburger on a parasol - and it is not to be missed!
Registration for this hilarious juggling and comedy show is required, and opens on Monday, July 22, at 6pm.
June 22 - August 10 at all HBPL locations! Register in person at any branch, or online at hbpl.beanstack.com.
HBPL challenges kids ages 0-12 to spend 20 minutes per day reading (or being read to) this summer! Complete the challenge by reading 980 minutes before August 10, and earn a free book from the FOTL Used Book Sale, plus other fun prizes along the way. Register online or in-person at any HBPL library location. When you register, you'll get a Summer Reading reusable book tote - the perfect bag to carry all of your fun summer books!
All prizes available while supplies last.
Tuesday, July 9, 4pm in the Central Library Balboa Room. Registration required - click image to register.
The Wise Owl Tween Book Club meets every month to discuss a book and meet the author! The first 15 readers who register will receive a copy of the book to keep, limited to one copy per household. To make the most out of the author visit, please finish reading the book by the time of our discussion.
July's book selection is The Grace of Wild Things, by Heather Fawcett. We'll talk about the book, do some fun activities, and have a snack that go along with its theme!
Thursday, July 11, 4pm in the Central Library Talbert Room. Register HERE!
Thursday, August 8, 4pm in the Central Library Talbert Room. Register HERE!
Tween S.T.E.A.M. Team is a club just for tweens ages 8-12. Join us every month to do a S.T.E.A.M. activity or craft, hang out, have fun, and learn something new! Past activities have included birdhouse building, slime cafes, boba brewing, nature journals, and more!
June 22 - August 10 at all HBPL locations! Register in person at any branch, or online at hbpl.beanstack.com.
HBPL challenges teens ages 13-17 to spend 20 minutes per day reading this summer! Complete the challenge by reading 980 minutes before August 10, and earn a free book from the FOTL Used Book Sale, plus other fun prizes along the way. Register online or in-person at any HBPL library location. When you register, you'll get a Summer Reading reusable book tote - the perfect bag to carry all of your fun summer books!
All prizes available while supplies last.
Saturdays, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm at the Oak View Branch Library. Register HERE!
Join our teen Dungeon Masters every Saturday for a weekly session of the popular Tabletop Roleplaying Game, Dungeons & Dragons. Players will build improv and interpersonal skills while exploring new worlds and meeting interesting characters. All players are welcome, no experience required. All materials - including a set of dice! - are provided.
This event is open to teens ages 13 and up.
Saturday, June 29, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
This free, interactive workshop hosted by the Automobile Club of Southern California guides pre-permit teens and their parents through many important driving topics. All attendees will receive free resources and giveaways, courtesy of AAA, but you do not need to be a AAA member to attend! Parents are required attend with their teens, as this workshop is designed to benefit you both.
This event is open to teens and their parents ages 14 and up.
Wednesdays from July 3 - August 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Participants in this theater series will create a short production exploring mental health issues within their community, culminating in a one-day performance in our big Library Theater! Teens interested in any aspect of theatre, from acting and writing to stage design are encouraged to register. No experience necessary!
This event is open to teens ages 14 - 18.
Tuesdays & Thursdays from July 9 - August 8, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Relaxing twice-weekly yoga sessions just for teens! We'll learn basic yoga poses, practice mindfulness, and do a bit of journaling for emotional regulation. Come experience how guided, intentional movement and meditation can help you feel centered in times of stress. Teens of all skill and ability levels are welcome - no prior yoga experience required!
This event is open for teens ages 13+
Friday, July 12, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Saturday, August 24, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Choose your own adventure with a wide variety of escape room games perfect for groups of friends or families to enjoy together. We have exciting mystery adventures to select from Unlock! and Finders Seekers that will have you hunting for treasure, cracking codes, and solving riddles from all over the globe!
This event is open to teens and adults ages 13 and up.
Friday, July 19, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Learn to design your own tiny terrarium and create the perfect home for your favorite cryptid creature to live in. Bigfoot and jackalopes may be notoriously hard to spot in the wild, but with this program you can take one home with you! All materials will be provided. Participants will have their choice of an itty bitty bigfoot or jackalope to put in their terrarium.
This event is open to teens ages 13 and up.
Saturday, August 3, 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Warm up those vocal cords and come sing your heart out to your favorite songs! Look up your favorite tunes in the giant KaraFun catalog, or ask staff to pull up a song from YouTube. Clean song versions only, please. There will be no judgment and we’re all here to have a blast! Don't want to sing? That's okay, too - you're still welcome to come enjoy the pizza and tunes!
This event is open to teens ages 13 and up.
Saturday, August 17, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Join us for a high-energy dance workshop that blends cosplay with choreography, brought to you by the talented dancers of The Corps Dance Crew. This amazing professional dance crew is dedicated to bringing anime, video games, and comics to life on stage - for the love of the art, and the nerd in their hearts! Whether you're a dancer, cosplayer, or just an anime fan, you're welcome to come join in the fun! Participants are encouraged to get up and dance with us, but no dance experience is required.
This event is open to teens and young adults ages 13 to 25.
June 22 - August 10 at all HBPL locations! Register in person at any branch, or online at hbpl.beanstack.com.
HBPL challenges adults ages 18+ to spend time reading this summer! Complete the challenge by reading five books before August 10, and you'll earn raffle entries for a City Beach Parking Pass - valued at $150 - plus other fun prizes along the way. To get started, register online or in-person at any HBPL location. When you register, you'll get a Summer Reading reusable book tote as a bonus - the perfect bag to carry all of your summer books!
All prizes available while supplies last.
Tuesday, June 25, 12:00 pm in the Talbert Room at the Central Library. Register HERE!
In this Lunch and Learn event, Bill from Data Axle will show you how to use U.S. Business and Consumer Modules and data analysis to drive business decisions. From identifying the ideal geography of potential customers to researching competitors, there is so much information available at your fingertips with Data Axle.
Tuesday, July 2, 10am in the Balboa Room at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Join us for creative activities and to share your interests to help the library develop new programming! Space is limited and registration is encouraged.
Tues, July 2, 7:00 pm in the B Room at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Central Book Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm.
For a list of all our books for the year, visit this page.
For the virtual/online branch-off of this book club, which meets the third Tuesday of every other month, visit our separate registration page.
Friday, July 12, 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Saturday, August 24, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Choose your own adventure with a wide variety of escape room games perfect for groups of friends or families to enjoy together. We have exciting mystery adventures to select from Unlock! and Finders Seekers that will have you hunting for treasure, cracking codes, and solving riddles from all over the globe!
This event is open to teens and adults ages 13 and up.
Friday, July 26, 2:00 pm at Shipley Nature Center. Register HERE!
Join us for an outdoor nature painting session at Shipley Nature Center! Supplies will be provided. Donations to Shipley are welcome.
This event is located at Shipley Nature Center
17851 Golden West St.,
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Tuesday, July 30, 6:30 pm at Central Library. Register HERE!
Make friendship bracelets with your favorite uplifting phrases during a relaxing evening among friends. Affirm positive thoughts, get crafty, and walk away with your own heartwarming creations. Supplies are provided.
Saturday, August 17, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm at the Central Library. Register HERE!
Join us for a high-energy dance workshop that blends cosplay with choreography, brought to you by the talented dancers of The Corps Dance Crew. This amazing professional dance crew is dedicated to bringing anime, video games, and comics to life on stage - for the love of the art, and the nerd in their hearts! Whether you're a dancer, cosplayer, or just an anime fan, you're welcome to come join in the fun! Participants are encouraged to get up and dance with us, but no dance experience is required.
This event is open to teens and young adults ages 13 to 25.
Mrs. Peanuckle's Hiking Alphabet by 
Let's Find Momo Outdoors! by 
Woodland Dance! by 
In the Forest by 
Home: a Peek-Through Picture Book by 
Fatima's Great Outdoors by 
If I Were a Park Ranger by 
Hello, Puddle! by 
Look What I Found in the Woods by 
Wildfire! by 
Can You Hear the Trees Talking? by 
Camp by 
Hansel and Greta by 
National Parks of the USA by 
Northwind by 
Alone by 
The Canyon's Edge by 
The Courage Test by 
Echo Mountain by 
A Wolf Called Wander by 
¡Ay, Mija! : My Bilingual Summer in Mexico (a Graphic Novel) by 
The Summer I Turned Pretty by 
This One Summer by 
Postcards from Summer by 
The Matchbreaker Summer by 
That Wild Country by 
The River by 
All Things Left Wild by 
100 Hikes of a Lifetime by 
Wild by 
Rewild Your Life: 52 Ways to Reconnect with Nature by 
Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by 
The Nature Fix by 
Bearskin by 
The Third Pole by 
