Summer programs make reading fun and fabulous

Summer is our favorite time of the year at The Library’s Youth Services Department. Kids who entered kindergarten the previous autumn once again join us for storytime. Childcares and preschools come to morning programs. Droves of children and families browse our book collections and enjoy a variety of programs.

Tuesday evening demonstrated record attendance when over 300 children and parents attended our reptile program with Reptile Man, Scott Petersen. We held the program in our new Community Room. Attendees held a Burmese python and posed for selfies with an alligator, while Scott’s tortoise wandered around, graciously receiving pets. We had a spectacular time! The same program was held in Clark Fork with more than 60 people turning out there.

Of course, the main point of our summer reading program is to keep children reading over summer vacation. You may have heard the stats before, but children who don’t read during summer can lose as much as two months of reading skills… skills they must relearn in the first weeks of school. Reading during vacation keeps the brain engaged… and, here at the library, we work to make it fun.

For the first time ever, we are offering summer reading online. Go to ebonnerlibrary.org and click on the rotating Summer Reading feature. That takes you to the Summer Reading web page with all of the summer reading details and a link to Beanstack - our online portal to register for the challenge and enroll in summer reading programs. There are separate programs for children and teens. You (or your children) can then keep track of reading online. Preschoolers and teens track the books they read, while elementary children keep track of the time they read (there’s a big difference between the books a first grader and a fifth grader are reading). There’s even an app! Children and teens can earn prizes based on how much they read. Read-to-me books also qualify for prereaders. Prizes can be picked up at the new Youth Services office in the newly expanded section of the Sandpoint library’s main floor or at the Circulation Desk in Clark Fork. BeanStack makes it easy for staff to look up the child or teen’s name and give them the appropriate prize for the reading they have logged. Print reading logs are also available at both locations.

And, of course, there’s the lineup of programs. This summer, in addition to weekly story programs, Monday Madness programs, STEM in the Park programs, and teen programs, the Sandpoint Library is hosting a number of special events for families. Upcoming special events include a Mobius Science Show, Spooky Stories in the Cemetery, Family Karaoke (featuring Disney songs), Red Yarn Folk and Puppetry band, and a Star Party. Personally, I’m incredibly excited about Red Yarn! They are out of Portland, and they are super fun.

The Clark Fork Library also has a full lineup, including weekly storytimes and programs for elementary school age kids and events for teens. Special events include a jewelry-making workshop and a program on birdsong. Pick up a schedule of the full season of summer reading programs at the Sandpoint or Clark Fork branch libraries.

Summer Reading runs through, Aug. 8, when we’ll hold our final parties and do our grand prize drawings. To date, we already have 512 participants signed up on Beanstack! You can register your children at any time, and we hope you do. Then, come visit us at The Library!

Library events

- Saturday, June 23 — Bella Note’ Musical Performance, 11 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch. A program for the Libraries Rock Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 23 — Organic Seed Saving, 1 p.m. at the Sandpoint branch. Come and discuss organic gardening and seed saving. Bring food and seeds to share if you can. If you can’t, come anyway! Information: 265-2665.

- Monday, June 25 — Rock Out! 10:30 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch. Learn about rocks, fossils, and petrified wood with Nancy Scott. A program for the Libraries Rock Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, June 26 — Mother Goose Storytime, 10:15 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch. Story Times are back at The Library — now in the new children’s program area! Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years and caregivers. For information, contact Suzanne Davis, 208-263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, June 26 — Family Storytime, 11 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, June 26 — Sandpoint Friends of the Library general meeting, 11:30 a.m. at the Sandpoint branch. On the agenda: a review of FOL book sale activity, a look at the new FOL space and expanded library, and election of FOL executive board members.

- Tuesday, June 26 — Introduction to Visual Communication, 4:30 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch room 205. For more information, contact Susan Schaller susan.schaller@gmail.com.

- Tuesday, June 26 — 3D printing workshop, 5 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch. This class is beginner level. Dabble in some beginner-level coding and design your own 3D printed object! Also learn some fascinating ways 3D printers are being used. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Information: 208-263-6930.

- Wednesday, June 27 — Clark Fork Stories & More, 10:30 a.m., at the Clark Fork branch. Story time, crafts, prizes, and snacks for kids ages 3-8. Call 208-266-1321 for information.

- Wednesday, June 27 — Mobius Science Bridge Building Workshop, 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch. Spokane’s Mobius Science Center hosts a bridge building workshop for kids. A program for the Libraries Rock Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, June 27 — Crafternoon —musical relief, 2 p.m., at the Sandpoint branch. Join us for a sheet music craft – musical relief painting! A program for the Libraries Rock Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930 ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, June 27 — Teen salsa dance lesson, 5 p.m., at the Clark Fork branch. A program for the Libraries Rock Teen Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930 ext. 1245, or email morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, June 28 — STEM in the Park with Mobius Science Center, 1 p.m. at Travers Park Pavillion, 2100 Pine St. Spokane’s Mobius Science Center hosts a bridge building workshop for kids. A program for the Libraries Rock Summer Reading 2018 Challenge. For details visit ebonnerlibrary.org, call 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, June 28 — Science Center Show, 6 p.m., Sandpoint branch. Spokane’s Mobius Science Center visits the library. Come see an awesome science show! For information, contact Suzanne Davis, 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Libraries Rock summer reading program — Log your reading to earn badges, win prizes, and stay sharp over the summer. Summer reading is online this year (print logs are available, too). Register at ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org to record your reading and read-to-me books. Meet your friends at Libraries Rock workshops and events all summer long. Details at ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — A partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. Enjoy “I Love My Pirate Papa” by Laura Leuck at McNearney Park and “My Father Knows the Names of Things” by Jane Yolen at Dover City Park. Enjoy a pop-up StoryWalk at Evans Brothers Coffee with “Curious George Plants a Tree”. Kaniksu Land Trust is Evans Brothers featured non-profit for the month of June.

Suzanne Davis is the children’s librarian for the East Bonner County Library District.