LIBRARIES MEAN KNOWLEDGE AND POWER
Ahhh, the long hot days of summer are here again. It’s so hot that you can barely breathe and if you have to hear your kids say “I’m bored” one more time, you might just lose it. But what to do? Where can we go to keep kids entertained, cool, and maybe squeeze in a little education in to avoid the perpetual summer slide? The perfect answer is your local library. Yes that place! Today’s library is not the musty dungeon with the bespectacled librarian of yesteryear.
Today’s public library is a thriving mecca of knowledge, with up-to-date technology, maker-spaces. and fun summer-long events that will keep your child engaged and learning at the same time. DSUSD retired librarian Jim Duke knows the power of reading and staying actively engaged especially over the summer months.
He tells us that “everyone needs to read something every day, whether it be a book, a magazine, a news article or anything else. This is especially important for children because research has shown that the more children read, the better their vocabulary will be. Reading is also fundamental to spelling ability and the development of good writing skills. Schools provide multiple opportunities for children to read, but during the summer, parents need to provide those reading opportunities for their children so their growth in these skills continue during vacation. To sum it up, the more one reads, the more one knows, and knowledge is power.”
There are several libraries offering community outreach programs this summer, and if they are anything like in the past, there will be food, prizes, games, and fun contests to attract all ages of kids and adults alike. Most of the programs start on or shortly after June 1st and run through August. Most of these programs are still being developed, but the libraries that run programs do a consistently good job, year over year.
The Coachella Valley is privileged enough to have a library in just about every major city and active bookmobile programs in more of our rural locations. All of the libraries with the exception of the Palm Springs Public Library and the Rancho Mirage Public Library and Observatory (because they are city-run) operate under the same system, with one card that can be used at all.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
All of the County of Riverside libraries will have a summer reading program that begins in June and end in July or August, and gives points that can be accumulated for prizes. Each location will also have special themed days, and events designed to engage even the most reluctant of readers. The Riverside County library system is still finalizing details and the best thing to do is to follow their social media channels, i.e Instagram, Facebook, Twitter to find up to date information. If you have any County of Riverside library card it works to participate at all of the county libraries. You can access all of the books from any of the libraries and borrow from any respectively.
Anza (951) 763-4216
Cabazon (951) 849-8234
Cathedral City (760) 328-4262
Coachella (760) 398-5148
Desert Hot Springs (760) 329-5926
Idyllwild (951) 659-2300
Indio (760) 347-2383
La Quinta (760) 564-4767
Mecca (760) 396-2363
Palm Desert (760) 346-6552
Thousand Palms (760) 343-1556
PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Palm Springs Public Library has their summer reading program that begins June 10th to July 18th and gives kids prizes for reading books that are of an appropriate level. Their children’s librarian also participates in the “1000 books before Kindergarten movement” and even if your child is not reading yet, they can still participate in this important program that is designed to expose them to a variety of texts and vocabulary prior to the start of kindergarten.
If you would like a City of Palm Springs library card, all you have to do is present a parents ID and proof of CA residency and if you live in any county in the state, you can get a card, at no charge. More information: (760) 322-7323
RANCHO MIRAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY
The Rancho Mirage Public Library and Observatory has a full time children’s librarian Valentine Kephart who is actively planning out their summer reading program to cover eight weeks from June 10th to August 2nd. Participants in their program earn “BookBucks” for minutes read and can use the bucks to “buy” prizes from the prize table. The program is tied to the theme of travel and promises for a summer of fun for all those that choose to participate.
Children’s Librarian, Valentine Kephart states “[The Rancho Mirage library staff] are looking forward to having everyone come to the library and enjoy the programs that we offer – its an 8 week program with activities five days a week, and never a charge for any of these children’s programs.” If you don’t have a Rancho Mirage Library card, it’s so easy to get one. It is available to any California resident, at no charge and all parents need to do is show their ID or driver’s license and fill out a short application. This library also participates in the 1000 books movement so even the youngest patron can quickly get engaged in the love of reading. More information: (760) 341-7323.
GET OUT AND READ!
Let’s make reading, learning and using the library “hip” again. Sign your child up for a reading program at your local library this summer. Allow them to see you reading as well. Make it a fun event and make getting their first library card a privilege and an event. After all where else can you attend toddler story time, join a Lego club, and earn points for pizza, and all in one cool, air-conditioned place! https://1000booksbeforekindergarten.org/1000-books-before-kindergarten-program/
