iREAD on the Road 2026

Jun 05, 2026

Summer reading has begun, and libraries are leveling up their decorations, displays, and programs. Hit the road with iREAD and let’s see what all of these fabulous libraries are up to! 

Illinois 

Elmhurst Public Library - Elmhurst, IL 

   

In addition to some fabulous Middle School Hangout decorations, Elmhurst has also developed a passive activity for Middle School called the Book Garden. Patrons are encouraged to decorate a "book spine," using the title and author of a favorite book. They can then glue the spine to a popsicle stick and "plant" it in the garden poster. It will be so fun to see how this garden grows throughout the summer! 

"Plant(s vs. Zombies) a Seed, Read! To fit a gaming vibe, I decorated the kids' computer lab at EPL to resemble a real-life Plants vs. Zombies scene! From the doors outside to the greenery blooming on the walls, this area is a perfect complement not only to the iREAD theme but also to our upcoming Plants vs. Zombies program!" - Kamilla 

Orland Park Public Library - Orland Park, IL

The Orland Park Public Library created this gorgeous textured bulletin board with 3D elements to welcome their patrons to Plant A Seed, Read. Please note that the fruits and vegetables are just so happy to be in the Youth Services Department at the library! This is a great example of using simple materials creatively for a big impact! 

Towanda District Library - Towanda, IL

Our friends at TDL were inspired by Wendy Xu's spot art to create a punny reminder of how to behave in the library (and beyond, really). 

Looking for more root* vegetable fun? Don't miss out on learning all about the Towanda Summer Reading Potato Buddy HERE! 

Wateska Public Library - Wateska, IL 

Take a peek at this staff photo with a tractor at the Summer Reading Kick Off Party! How cute is this?!? We all need flower crowns and tomato trousers immediately. 

When you have staff buy-in, you have community buy-in. 

Iowa 

Kendall Young Library - Webster City, IA

Patrons at the Kendall Young Library will walk under a magical flowering arch to access this section of their library. 

Incorporating the pillar as part of a plant coming out of the whimsical pot below is absolute perfection. Not to mention the gorgeous hand-lettered sign being supported by the vine. 

Maynard Community Library - Maynard, IA

   

Maynard Community Library created a raised garden bed display in their library to promote Plant A Seed, Read.

If you look closely, you'll see that they incorporated the recipe cards designed by Sarah Ferone and included in the bonus art in the Art and Graphics folder behind the garden.  

Louisiana 

DeSoto Parish Library, Mansfield Branch - Mansfield, LA

The Mansfield Branch of the DeSoto Parish Library are encouraging their patrons to grow together and taking them from the farm to the farmer's market. Stop by the barn to see the horses or the market stalls to learn more about all of the fun programming offered! 

 Maine 

University of Southern Maine - Portland & Gorham, ME

The University of Southern Maine encouraged their students to Plant A Seed, Read before the school year was over with a Spring Reading Challenge. They developed a Reading Bingo Contest. The challenge is very accessible while encouraging students to actively interact with the libraries on campus. 

Minnesota

Arrowhead Library System Bookmobile - Mountain Iron, MN  

The Arrowhead Bookmobile has added a fun, interactive activity to their offerings for the summer. Can you match? There are flower, fruit, and vegetable options. 

Don't leave the bookmobile out of summer fun! 

Rhode Island 

Clark Memorial Library - Carolina, RI

When you sign up for Summer Reading at Clark Memorial Library, you will contribute to the growth of the plants on the sign-up board. There is a cute photobooth opportunity in Gerty's Garden to capture Summer Reading Memories. And building on the popularity of the Reading Dragon Cards from Level Up at Your Library, CML has created garden gnome trading cards to support Plant A Seed, Read. You can see Gertie and Oliver Gnome here and learn more about the entire Summer Reading Program HERE. 

* We know that potatoes are tubers, but an all-encompassing culinary and agricultural term for edibles that grow underground is root vegetables.