By Rachel Schmidt, Youth Services
This is a longer article than we normally run. It’s an excerpt from our printed newsletter that went out last week and should be in your mailbox shortly, if you’re on our mailing list.
Summer Reading was a great success this year!
Our community loved the focus on reading every day to earn weekly and grand prizes. This allowed all readers (babies through adults) to use the same reading map. From one reader: “I liked that counting days rewarded effort more than reading speed, and let kids ‘compete’ on the same level as adults.” We also added a fun learning element to gain more tickets.
This year the Santa Clara City Library worked with the Santa Clara Unified School District to make sure every student was given a reading map before the end of the school year to raise participation. “My kids started to read more,” said one parent.
We hosted many family performances across all the Library branches including:
- San Jose Taiko
- Circus of Smiles
- Cascada de Flores
- and more!
Everyone enjoyed the ability to be outside with some wonderful performers and events. “I liked that it was very inclusive and anyone of all ages could participate.”
Every child under 13 was able to pick out a book to add to their home Library. Teens were entered in a prize drawing for a ukulele box, art box, or a Nintendo Switch. Adults each received a coupon for the Foundation Book Sales or Bookstore and a chance to win a National Park Pass.
We would like to thank our funding partners for making the Summer Reading Program possible! They are:
- Mission City Community Fund
- KeyPoint Credit Union
- Enterprise Holdings Foundation
- Intel
- Jan Lieberman Fund
- The Santa Clara City Library Foundation and Friends
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2022 Summer Reading Program!