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As summer vacation begins for local students, the sun and fun outdoors are a natural draw. But the San Benito County Public Library will host a Summer Reading program from June 9 to Aug. 2, among a series of events that might lure some to stay inside once in a while for an afternoon of learning.
In addition to the reading program, the library series offers opportunities for tea parties and scavenger hunts, composting and growing, Perler beads and ceramic owls, reading “The Stinky Cheese Man,” and watching chickens hatch, all while being served snacks and three free lunches each week.
The summer program, San Benito County Librarian Austin Curtis said, partners with local organizations to connect people to important resources.
“It showcases that the library is a place where people can come and learn, create, and meet others,” he said. “We want people to become more interested in reading and finding books they like.”
The reading program is open to all, with three tiers of participation: children (ages 12 and under), teens (ages 13 to 18), and adults (ages 19 and up). Participants agree to read for a total of 10 hours and receive a goodie bag and a bingo card in English or Spanish containing various activities and challenges. Completing a row in the card earns the participant a free book.
Teens, for example, are asked to choose from tasks including reading a book with 300 or more pages, writing a short story, trying a recipe from a teen cookbook, taking a 30-minute walk, finding a secret code at Ohana Shave Ice or Hill’s Bookstore, or trying a new hobby.
A variety of activities are planned for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays including musical performances by the Fratello Marionettes, flamenco guitarist Gladius and Latin rhythmist Louie Cruz Beltran.
According to Juan Perez, the library’s program coordinator, there will also be presentations on animals, including a visit by a goat, a demonstration on wool, and an ongoing exhibit of a special machine brought by researcher Hedmon Okella that will enable visitors to see the development of a live chicken embryo.
Coupled with the three weekly events, those 18 and under, along with their parents, can take part in the Lunch at the Library program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., held in partnership with the USDA and the Community Food Bank of San Benito.
“The lunch program is one of my favorites,” Curtis said. “It helps because it provides access to food as well as a learning environment. We’re able to bring the kinds of performers and educational presenters to the community that I think sometimes we don’t have.”
The library is also piloting a new activity with the Community Science Workshop, including a table filled with STEM activities where families can come and build and create. The goal, Curtis said, is to establish a program that will continue beyond summer as a regular weekly activity.
During the reading program, all of the regularly scheduled activities will continue, including chair yoga, the knitting group, the Roblox club, the adult creative writing club, English and bilingual storytimes, Tech Help Tuesdays, JMM Dance workshop, a drop-in citizenship workshop, and the Death & Donuts Bookclub.
“Last year,” Curtis said, “we had over 1,000 attendees over the summer. I think this is a good way to show that the library is more than just a place you come and check out books.”
San Benito County Free Library
470 5th Street, Hollister
(831) 636-4107
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