‘Plant a Seed, Read’ With Mendocino County Library!

This is a press release from the Mendocino County Library:

Mendocino County Library invites everyone to grow their imagination one page at a time because every adventure begins by planting a seed of inspiration.

“Letting ideas sprout, creativity to unfurl, and supporting the opportunities to read and do math does wonders for keeping kids mentally active and ready to continue their education in the fall,” said Mellisa Hannum, Mendocino County Librarian. “One of the ways we help prevent summer slide is by offering books as prizes throughout the school break. Having a personal collection of books has been shown to support literacy development in children and teens.”

The learning options include more than books, with professional entertainers and events focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Plus, there will be free lunches during Lunch at the Library, a summer meal program funded by the California Summer Meal Coalition (CSMC) and the California Library Association (CLA) in partnership with the USDA summer meal program.

“Hungry kids can’t learn,” said Hannum. “Mendocino County Library is pleased to coordinate with community partners once again to offer access to free lunches and library activities to youth 18 and under, helping to make sure their brains stay nourished and strong over the summer.”

Building on previous years, both Coast Community Library and Willits Library will again offer lunches in their Community Rooms. Both locations have food and enrichment opportunities every Tuesday through Friday at noon. Lunches are the same balanced, nutritious meals offered through the school districts. Hannum stated that she was grateful for the new and ongoing partnerships with the schools in our county. Look for lunches from June 9 to August 7 in Willits and from June 23 to August 7 in Point Arena.

An exciting addition to Lunch at the Library pop-up programming, Laytonville Branch Library will be hosting three events for youth at Laytonville Elementary. These pop-ups run from noon to 1:30 p.m. on June 25 and July 9 and 23. Ukiah Branch Library will continue their highly successful weekly pop-up events at Todd Grove Park in Ukiah every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June 16 to Aug 4. Summer lunches will be served with books and activities provided. Fort Bragg and Round Valley Libraries will continue participating in Lunch at the Library pop-up programming in their communities. Fort Bragg will be at Dana Gray Elementary from 10 a.m. to noon on June 25, July 2, and July 9. Round Valley will offer events at the Round Valley Library Branch, at Youth Activity Day at Hidden Oaks Park, and events in collaboration with the Tis Bil Education Center. Please check with your library branch for more detailed information.

The Summer Reading Program always kicks off with fun performers. Starting on June 11, the Library is hosting the Magical Nathaniel Show at the Round Valley and Willits branches, June 12 at the Ukiah Branch, and June 13 at the Coast Community and Fort Bragg Branches. Math magic is great for all ages! In August, the libraries will be presenting Conservation Ambassadors’ Wild Things. Join us on Friday, August 7 at the Ukiah, Willits, and Round Valley branches, followed by an August 8 performance at the Fort Bragg and Coast Community branches. Wild Things will discuss the diversity of life on Earth, make science interesting and approachable, and tell the stories of the amazing animals in their care. These events are free and open to the public.

Set your curiosity free and see what adventures take root this summer when you plant a seed and read!

For more information, please view www.mendolibrary.org or contact the Mendocino County Library at (707) 234-2873.