Gilroy Library 2015 Summer Reading Program Begins Friday

News from the Santa Clara County Library District:

Every hero has a story. This summer, Santa Clara County Library District’s (SCCLD) Gilroy Library challenges residents to discover their own inner hero as part of its 2015 Summer Challenge.

Created around the theme “Every Hero Has a Story,” Gilroy Library’s 2015 Summer Challenge invites kids, teens and adults to take control of their summer vacation and become their own favorite hero. With help from the library and its myriad list of free summer activities, residents have the opportunity to turn lazy days of summer into a time of discovery, initiative, exploration and learning.

“Participating in summer reading is not only fun, it helps keep students from learning loss over the summer break. Reading is a powerful way to explore the world and can open many new doors. This summer, the Santa Clara County Library District has prepared a multitude of creative, fun, and free summer activities for all ages. I encourage everyone to sign up for the Summer Challenge and turn Summer 2015 into a time of discovery,” stated Mike Wasserman, Joint Powers Authority Board Member for SCCLD and Supervisor, Santa Clara County.

Summer Challenge is part of Gilroy’s annual summer reading program which encourages the love of reading, creativity and scientific discovery. This year’s Summer Challenge encourages participants to not only incorporate reading into their lives but to complete selected tasks in a quest to: explore library resources, enjoy enriching and creative experiences and try new activities. While some tasks may be as easy as reading a book or reciting a poem, other activities inspire library visitors to venture outside and explore surrounding areas, discovering individual strengths and interests along the way.

Summer Challenge participants are encouraged to sign up for the program beginning May 15, 2015 at their local library or online @ www.sccl.org/summer2015 . Activities, programs and incentives are grouped in three different themed categories:

· Pre-Readers 0-5 & Kids 6-12 – Every Hero has a Story

· Teens – 13-18 – Unmask!

· Adults – 18+ - Escape the Ordinary

Free and open to all ages, super heroes everywhere are invited to sign up for the program beginning mid-May. Summer Challenge Activities will take place at all SCCLD libraries with interesting, educational and exciting programs scheduled for almost every day of summer. A sampling of events and activities offered at the Gilroy Library include:

· Teen After Hours Lock-In – Fri. June 12 – beginning at 6 p.m. (Teens)

· Cowgirl Karen – Wed. June 17 @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· Graphic Novel Bag Making – Thurs. June 18 @ 2p.m. (Teen)

· Explore Elkhorn Slough – Mon. June 22 @ 7 p.m. (Adults)

· Magical Moonshine Theatre – Wed. June 24 @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· Unmask the Mysteries of Henna – Thurs. June 25 @ 2p.m. (Teen)

· CrossFit Presentation – Sat. June 27 @ 2 p.m. (Adult)

· Happy Birds show – Wed. July 1 @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· Super Hero Window Art – Thurs. July 2 @ 2 p.m. (Teen)

· Genealogy 101- Mon. July 6 @ 2 p.m. (Adult)

· Arts and Crafts Fun - Wed. July 8th @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· Graphic Novel Making Workshop – Thurs. July 9 @ 2 p.m. (Teen)

· Maiko Drumming – Wed. July 15 @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· The Tech Museum of Innovation Tech Challenge for PreTeens – Tues. July 21 @ 2 p.m.

· The Tech Museum of Innovation Tech Challenge for Teens – Tues. July 21 @ 4 p.m.

· Arts and Crafts Fun - Wed. July 22nd @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· Super Hero You – Thurs. July 23 @ 2 p.m. (Teen)

· Extreme Science Magic – Wed. July 29 @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

· Duct Tape Mania - Thurs. July 30 @ 2 p.m. (Teen)

· Calligraphy Class – Sat. Aug. 1 @ 1 p.m. (Adult)

· The Great Jonathan Magician – Wed. Aug. 5 @ 3 p.m. (School Age)

Residents are encouraged to earn points by completing a variety of activities such as: Learning new skills, reading books, attending programs, or visiting local parks and areas of interest. Points are used to collect prizes and reading incentives. Complete instructions can be found at SCCLD’s Summer Challenge website @ http://www.sccl.org/summer-reading. The Summer Challenge Program will be held May 15 – Aug. 15, 2015.

Summer Challenge events are offered at all SCCLD libraries. A complete listing for all Summer Challenge related activities can be found at: http://www.sccl.org.