Children can lose half a grade if they don’t read in the summer months
Published in the July 8-21, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Peggy Tomasso, head librarian of Morgan Hill Library.
Summer is a fun time at the Morgan Hill Public Library, with numerous special programs for children and teens to spend their vacation-time hours. And librarian Peggy Tomasso encourages families to discover what free programs are offered at the library .
The popular Kids Summer Challenge is an annual event where children read books and keep track to earn a certificate and prize book. The program was developed to help reduce the “summer drag” for kids when they are out of school.
“They lose about half a grade if they don’t read over the summer, so we try to make reading fun over the summer for them,” Tomasso said.
At 3 p.m. July 29, the library will hold an End of Summer Party where children will be rewarded for their summer reading endeavors. The carnival-like event will include food. It’s open to all children, including those who did not participate in the Summer Challenge, Tomasso said.
New to the library’s summer offering is the six-week Maker Camp where children from 10 to 17 learn how to make various “secret” projects. The Morgan Hill Library was selected as an affiliate site for Google’s 2015 Maker Camp. Every week from 1 to 2:15 p.m., starting July 8, children will watch a Maker Video provided by Google, and then build the project based on that week’s theme. Although the program is free, registration is required by visiting or calling the library or going online.
The library recently ended its June Summer Arts program, but its Summer Science program will be held July 10, 17, 24 and 31 starting at 3 p.m. On those dates, school-aged participants can join the fun by doing a new science experiment each week. Participants will need to register for this free program designed to enhance the child’s appreciation of the natural world.
“They’ll be learning a science concept then doing an experiment, so it’ll be like a class but fun,” Tomasso said.
Other special summer events in July include the music duo ZunZun at 3 p.m. Saturday July 11 teaching children fun songs using a variety of musical instruments; 3 and 4 p.m. Wednesday July 15 John Weaver Storyteller will create unique images in the mind of each listener when telling traditional tales; a Wii U Smash Brothers competition at 2 p.m. Thursday July 16; and at 3 p.m. Wednesday July 22 Touch-a-Truck where children can get up close to emergency vehicles.
One of the most popular programs is the LEGO club for kids 4 to 8 that starts at 4 p.m. every Monday.
From 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. July 28, the library will hold a special program for high school students with Collegwise on How to Write College Essays.
All the programs are free and everyone is welcome, Tomasso said.
