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Unlocking the Magic: How Libraries Bring Harry Potter to Life
The Harry PotterTM series is pure magic. It whisks readers away to a world of spells, secrets, and adventure. A world that has shaped childhoods for generations. But its impact goes far beyond the pages. These books have become shared experiences, creating deep connections between readers of all ages.
I’ll never forget a family visit years ago, shortly after I got married. Each night during our five-day stay, my father-in-law would lie in bed reading The Harry Potter series aloud to my 10-year-old sister-in-law for hours. Watching that ritual unfold felt like I was witnessing magic in real life. A quiet, meaningful bond forming through story. I remember thinking how special it must have been for both of them, and I knew then that I wanted to create the same kind of moments with my future children.
Fast forward to today, now with a five-year-old of my own, I find myself wondering, is it too soon to begin our journey to Hogwarts? Maybe so, but you better believe I have the stories on deck for when the time comes.
Libraries play a crucial role in offering parents these transformative experiences but one of the biggest barriers to popular series like Harry Potter is availability, especially when demand is high. Enter OverDrive Max, a model that enables multiple readers to borrow the same title simultaneously until all available checkouts are used. Through May 2026, Pottermore Publishing is offering access to the bestselling Harry Potter series and associated titles in OverDrive Max. Use this list to find OverDrive Max titles in different formats and languages!
That means book clubs and entire communities can explore Hogwarts together, without long holds or delays.
Magical Library Programming Ideas
Looking to bring the magic of the Harry Potter series to your patrons this summer? Here are a few ideas for programs designed with 7–10-year-olds in mind:
Harry Potter Activity Sheets
Create a Harry Potter display in your library and print these activity sheets for patrons to take. You can find the sheets in the Programming & Activity Ideas section of the page. Or create CTA campaigns in Libby for your patrons to download the activity sheets.
Hogwarts Reading Challenge
Set up a month-long challenge where children “attend” Hogwarts by completing reading milestones and magical tasks. Each house can earn points for pages read, books finished, or creative activities completed.
Read-Alouds with Audiobooks
Host a weekly audiobook listening circle. Choose captivating excerpts from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and pair with discussion prompts or quiet art time.
DIY Wand Workshop
Let kids make their own wands from chopsticks, hot glue, and paint. Then, have a spell-casting session to show them off.
Whether it’s through shared read-alouds, creative programming, or simply having the right books available when readers are ready, libraries have the power to invite every child, parent, and patron to experience the wonder of Hogwarts together. After all, magic lies not just in the pages, but in the connections we build because of them.