2026 Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story
This summer, we are partnering with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print-disabled (NLS) and The Braille Institute to dig into a summer of reading that will inspire an adventure with the dinosaurs and a connection to nature with narrated Soundscapes that will take you on pre-recorded, immersive audio journeys through the landscapes of four national parks.
All Ages
Everyone can enjoy the Narrated Soundscapes that will drop on the 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.
Monday, June 22 - Narrated Soundscape “walk-through" of Badlands National Park: Kathleen Slocum, Accessible Library Services Manager at South Dakota Accessible Library Services.
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.
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.
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.
Kids Programing and Activities
Kids are also encouraged to devour as many books as possible from the
NLS Summer Reading Book List or read anything they like! Just spend the summer reading! No need to register or track your minutes or the number of books you read, just fill out a Book Review form by August 14th. Kids are signed up for Talking Books and fill out a
Book Review will get a participation prize and be entered raffles for even more prizes!
Adult Programing and 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. Visit the NLS website to register for the Zoom events.
June 15th - 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. 1 p.m. pacific time (4 p.m. eastern time).
Tuesday, June 16th - Author Event: Best-selling author Peter Heller discusses his novel, The Dog Stars (DB75493) and The Orchard (DB134029), with public radio journalist Maeve Conran. 1 p.m. pacific time (4 p.m. eastern time).
Tuesday, July 14th - 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.1 p.m. pacific time (4 p.m. eastern time).
Tuesday, July 28th - "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). 1 p.m. pacific time (4 p.m. eastern time).
Tuesday, August 11th - 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. 1 p.m. pacific time (4 p.m. eastern time).