An Explosion of Learning at the Library

Dozens of kids huddled on the floor of Calabasas Library on Wednesday afternoon, anxiously waiting to see a simulated volcanic eruption.

"Why are volcanoes so dangerous?" asked scientist Richard Wade, who was wearing a red jump suit, rappel rope and hard hat.

"Lava!" Several kids screamed back.

The show was put on as part of the library's Summer Reading Program, and five more interactive events will follow in the coming weeks.

"The point of the program is to keep kids reading and involved because they're losing literacy in the summer," said librarian Karilyn Steward, who is in charge of the program. "The way the economy is, we want to do something for people of all ages for free and they don't have to get out of the community."

Resident Divya Santosh's children couldn't wait to get to the library Wednesday.

"It's important to make sure that as a community our kids are reading and learning," she said.

Riloy Kane, one of the children who attended the event, is a science book enthusiast and plans on becoming a veterinarian. Like many of the kids, he enjoyed the mock volcano explosion at the end of the show.

"This is the first time we've come, and we're going to come back," said his mother, Shannon Kane. "It's a free program for kids to come and learn great things."

Ultimately, the library helps bring the community together, said resident Anat Fisher. Her son Kevin's favorite part was also the mock volcano explosion, which he recounted with sound effects.

"It creates a love of reading and of being a part of the community," Fisher said. "It shows kids that the library is important."

Next Wednesday, the library will host the Animal Guys, who will bring in creatures from the rainforest. For a list of upcoming summer reading program activities, click here.