Summer reading celebrates NASA, space program

NASA is in the midst of celebrating the anniversary of the Apollo Program. From 1969 through 1972, 12 American astronauts landed on the moon. NASA, as well as other organizations, will be hosting events to observe the 50-year anniversary through 2022.

The East Bonner County Library District and libraries all over the country are participating with the 2019 Summer Reading theme “A Universe of Stories.” This year’s Summer Reading Program includes reading challenges, special StoryWalkÔ titles, and space-themed events. Registration is open now.

Adults, teens, kids, and pre-readers can sign up for the 2019 Summer Reading Challenge at www.ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org or pick up a print log at The Library or Bookmobile. You can also participate as a family or group now through Aug. 7.All ages can read or listen to books and qualify for prize drawings. Teens, kids, and pre-readers also qualify for badges and prizes along the way.

Details about the program are available on The Library’s Summer Reading 2019 page.

StoryWalksÔ are a great way for families to read together and spend time outside. Pages from a children’s book are posted along trails at Dover City Park, Mc Nearny Park, and in the playground at Northside School. This summer, special space-themed titles will be rotated weekly. Learn more at facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Summer Reading events are not limited to challenge participants. The Sand-point and Clark Fork Librar-ies have a full schedule of events for every age all summer long, many with a space theme. You can also enjoy a virtual trip through space at The Library. “Cosmic Sugar,” “Danger Rooms,” Star Wars,” and “Trials on Tatooine” are all virtual reality games that allow you to explore the universe from our VR Room. Drop-in and reservation times are available every week. Scope out the Events Calendar at www.ebonnerlibrary.org to plan your summer.

The Library hosts a summer reading program each year to keep students reading while they are not in school. Kids who don’t read over the summer may experience the “summer slide;” a gap in learning that can put them months behind in the next school year. Studies show that kids who read during the summer score higher on reading and math achievement tests in the fall than those who didn’t read. Those studies also indicate that the summer slide affects more older kids than younger ones. Even parents can experience learning loss over the summer.

Another benefit to The Library’s Summer Reading program is bonding. Families who participate in the program and attend the events together make fond memories. Since this year’s program includes an adult summer reading challenge, parents and other adults can set an example of reading for the kids in their lives.

East Bonner

County Library District schedule

The following classes and events take place at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar St. unless otherwise indicated. The monthly calendar can be viewed at ebonnerlibrary.org.

• Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

• Saturdays — Bookmobile at Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Farmin Park. Browse books, movies, and music. Sign up for a library card. Pick up holds (reserved materials) or return items. Chat with Michelle, our friendly bookmobile driver. Bookmobile will be at the Farmer’s Market every Saturday through the season. Information: 208-290-3622.

- Saturday, June 15, and Saturday, June 22 — Little Mozarts Music Class, 10:30 a.m. Drop-ins welcome. Program runs through Aug. 3. No program on July 6. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, June 24 — Sign Language Class for Kids, 12:30 p.m. Four weeks. Geared to third to sixth graders, but all welcome. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Family Story Time, 11 a.m. in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 p.m. in Community Room A. Role playing game where a battle between wizards employ spells, artifacts, and creatures depicted on individual Magic cards to defeat their opponents. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or email kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, June 20 — Thursdays in the Garden,10 a.m. in The Library Garden. Learn about planting, growing, and harvesting. This week’s project is “Marker Stones.” Label your garden rows with artistic stones! Geared to ages 6-9 and families. Learn how to qualify for a metal watering can! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, June 22 — Library Garden workday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Library garden, 1406 Cedar St. The Library is building a new community educational garden and we need your help! Come help get this project to take root! Information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Wednesday, June 26 — The Library’s STEM in the Park, 12:30 p.m. at Travers Park, 2100 Pine St. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn about the sun and solar system and look through a solar scope! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, June 26, STEM at the Farmers Market, 3-5 p.m. at Farmin Park during the Wednesday market. The Library comes to the Farmer’s Market! Fun with science, technology, engineering, and math with a new theme each time! This week kids make kaleidoscopes to take home for free! Information, 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Thursday, June 27 — Monster Hunt with Campfireball, 6 p.m. at Lakeview Park, 901 Ontario St. (in case of rain it will be moved to the Sandpoint Library community meeting rooms, 1407 Cedar St.). Part talent show, part open-mic, part multimedia, ALL fun. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Teen Lounge — A space for teens, seventh through twelfth grade (any school or homeschool). Open weekly during summer: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed 1-2 p.m. Teen Lounge will be closed July 3-14. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org; or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. StoryWalk books will be updated at various times during the summer with titles based on the 2019 Summer Reading theme, “Universe of Stories.” Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.