Kids Programming & Activities
The 2026 summer reading theme is "Unearth a Story" that emphasizes discovery with dinosaurs, nature and more. Programs are designed for kids — as well as adults — to encourage reading through fun activities.
The BRAILLE/PRINT book, That's Not My Dinosaur, will be part of many "WonderBox" giveaways available to NLS patrons. Information on ordering a "WonderBox" coming soon!
Adult Programming & Activities
Inspired by the Unearth a Story summer reading theme, stories are everywhere — embedded in landscapes, preserved in archives, carried through families and reflected in individual lives.
Don't have an email address? No problem!
Call 888-245-2471 to register by phone.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 15 4 p.m. eastern time | Kickoff Event: Launch a summer of stories! Join us for an opening program with special guests as we introduce our 2026 Summer Reading theme and preview the workshops ahead. |
| Tuesday, June 16 4 p.m. eastern time | Author Event: Best-selling author Peter Heller discusses his novel, The Dog Stars (DB75493) and The Orchard (DB134029), with public radio journalist Maeve Conran. |
| Monday, June 22 | Narrated Soundscape “walk-through" of Badlands National Park: Kathleen Slocum, Accessible Library Services Manager at South Dakota Accessible Library Services, released June 22. |
| Tuesday, June 30 4 p.m. eastern time | National Parks as Living Archives: Stories from New Mexico: National Park Service staff and partners explore the science, history, and culture embedded in Aztec Ruins National Monument, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, and Valles Caldera National Preserve. |
| Monday, July 6 | Narrated Soundscape “walk-through" of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Matthew Brown, Managing Librarian at Hawaii State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, released on July 6. |
| Tuesday, July 14 4 p.m. eastern time | Author Event: Blind authors Leona Godin, There Plant Eyes (BR23825, DB104014), and Georgina Kleege, More Than Meets the Eye (BR22550, DB93533), explore nonfiction as excavation in conversation with Mike Marlin, Director of the Braille & Talking Book Library in Sacramento. |
| Monday, July 20 | Narrated Soundscape “walk-through" of Everglades National Park: Felicia Brown, Talking Book Librarian, and Jennifer Shipley, Library Operations Manager, Special Services at Miami-Dade Public Library System, released July 20. |
| Tuesday, July 28 4 p.m. eastern time | "Excavating a Life: Megan Marshall" Author Event: Pulitzer Prize winning biographer Megan Marshall will be in conversation with author Heather Clark about her memoir After Lives (DBC11807). |
| Monday, August 3 | Narrated Soundscape “walk-through" of Cape Cod National Seashore: Kim Charlson, Executive Director, and Andrea Everett, Children’s & Young Adult Services Librarian at Perkins Library, released August 3. |
| Tuesday, August 11 4 p.m. eastern time | Digging Up the Past: A Historical Fiction Panel with authors Sadeqa Johnson, Elizabeth Wein, and Jess Shaara. Author-led exploration of the research, craft and creative rewards of historical fiction. |
Narrated Soundscapes take you on pre-recorded, immersive audio journeys through the landscapes of four national parks, with narration provided by some of the NLS's own network library staff. A new Soundscape drops on Braille Institute Library's Summer Reading Program page every other Monday starting June 22 — once posted, each one stays available so you can explore at your own pace. No registration required — just hit play whenever you're ready.
The Dog Stars (DB75493), a post-apocalyptic novel, is the focus of the June 16 online event, hosted by the Braille Institute. The film version, directed by Ridley Scott, is scheduled to be released in August 2026. And author Peter Heller will be joining us!
Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Megan Marshall will discuss her latest book After Lives (DBC11807), which turns its author's narrative gift toward her own art, life, and the people in it.
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Below are print-ready PDF posters with QR codes. These 8.5" × 11" posters are perfect for bulletin boards and even work as flyers. Thanks for sharing information about our summer reading program.
