Library and cultural arts staff unveil Carlsbad Reads Together 2026 program

Library and cultural arts staff presented Carlsbad Reads Together 2026 to the Arts Commission on April 2, outlining a month of community reading programs, youth‑focused activities and an author conversation scheduled for April 23.

Senior librarian Emily Hardy and co‑chair Ruben Valenzuela described a changed selection process this year: rather than presenting a precurated list of titles, staff asked the community to choose a genre, then applied selection standards emphasizing accessibility, Spanish availability and manageable book length. Valenzuela said the community vote selected a memoir, and staff chose the adult title Stay True; youth companion titles were selected based on in‑library voting stations.

The presenters said the program aims to reach readers of all ages through bilingual story times, a relaunched in‑person teen book club at Cole Library, zine‑making workshops, an outdoor story walk at Buena Vista Reservoir Park and a culminating in‑person author conversation. "This year, for the first time, we gathered youth feedback and new ways to help guide those selections," Emily Hardy said.

Commissioners asked for more detail about participation changes. Presenters reported 261 survey responses this year compared with 193 last year and said 412 youth votes were cast in two weeks via interactive stations. Commissioners praised the program’s community engagement and asked staff to share circulation data and outreach strategies that supported higher participation.

Staff and commissioners encouraged the public to attend April events and noted the library and cultural arts department will continue bilingual programming and accessibility efforts.