A Library for Little Ones

If you are a parent in Encinitas, odds are you know who Patricia Williams is. The youth services librarian at the Encinitas branch is a regular presence at programs there and is the quintessential children’s librarian. She’s got a cheery smile, lilting voice, tireless enthusiasm, and a knack for recommending books or cheering over a child’s paper hat made during a craft session.

Williams has been at the Encinitas Library since the new building opened three years ago. She’s been with the San Diego County Library system for six years, and before that she worked in her native Bay Area after graduating from San Jose State. It was while working in northern California that she first landed a job as a children’s librarian, which she soon discovered was a perfect fit for her.

“I really like the variety of it,” she says. “It’s something different every day, whether it’s dealing with people and different questions or our special events. I like the creativity of it and planning all the events, from toddlers through teens.”

That workload is considerable. Williams leads two toddler storytime sessions each week and oversees the baby and preschool storytime programs presented by other staffers. Each month she plans at least one craft and one teen program. And then there are a number of special events held throughout the year, which can range from a Fancy Nancy tea party to gingerbread house decorating during the holidays to a chocolate festival for teens.

And coming up is perhaps her busiest time of the year. June 1 marks the beginning of the annual Summer Reading Club, the countywide program that rewards people of all ages for keeping track of their time spent reading. Williams says this year’s theme of travel and world cultures has been particularly inspiring for her, as evident in the slate of special events the library will host this summer for kids.

Among the highlights: An interactive show of puppets from around the world (June 1); a live animal show (June 20); a performance of African drumming and dancing (June 22); the popular annual T-shirt screen printing workshop for teens (June 25); a Middle Eastern dance show (July 16); and folk dance lessons taught by a professional dancer (July 20). Also, last year’s inaugural Japan Festival, celebrating Encinitas’ sister city Amakusa, will be back—and even bigger—on Aug. 13, with performances, food and crafts.

Williams credits the library’s strength in youth programming to the Friends of the Encinitas Library, which helps provide funding for many of the special events and activities. But watch her man the microphone as she leads a game of loteria, or the way she leads a group of high-energy tots in a song and dance, and you know her dedication is a big part of the library program’s success. She certainly has her patrons’ stamp of approval.

“I remember this one little girl who came to the teddy bear tea last December—she told her mom and her mom told me, ‘You have the best parties here.’ ”  

Sign-ups for Summer Reading Club begin June 1; pick up a reading log at the library, located at 540 Cornish Drive, or track your progress online. For more information on this or other library programs and events, call 760-753-7376 or visit sdcl.org.

New Artist Ensconced at Lux

South African sculptor Claudette Schreuders closes out the 2010-11 exhibition year at Lux Art Institute. She’ll be in residence working on a sculpture in wood from May 28 through June 18, and her exhibit runs May 28 through July 30. For more information, call 760-436-6611 or visit luxartinstitute.org.

Green Transportation Gets Green Light at Movie Night

This month’s installment of the Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Series, the transportation-themed Wherever You Want To Go, is accompanied by an “E-Mobility” show of alternative-fuel vehicles and a panel discussion on the topic. The free event begins at 5:30 p.m. May 26 at Pacific Station, located at 687 S. Coast Highway. For more information, call 760-943-1950 or visit encinitas101.com.