Milpitas Library 2015 Summer 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) Milpitas 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,” Milpitas 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.

“As a teacher, I know the dangers of the summer slide, when students lose precious learning gains over the summer break. To help keep us engaged in learning while experiencing new challenges and interests, the Milpitas Library is offering a fun, free, and quality Summer Challenge program. I hope you, your family and friends will join me in signing up for the Library’s Summer Challenge,” stated Carmen Montano, Joint Powers Authority Board Member for SCCLD and Vice Mayor, City of Milpitas.

Summer Challenge is part of Milpitas Library’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 Milpitas Library includes:

· Python Ron’s Reptile Kingdom, Thurs. June 18 @ 3 pm (School Age)

· Tony Border’s Puppet Theatre, Thurs. June 25 @ 3 pm (School Age)

· Ernie Reyes World Action Team Martial Arts, Thurs. July 2 @ 3 pm (School Age)

· Magician Brian Scott, Thurs. July 9 @ 3 pm (School Age)

· Storytelling with John Weaver, Thurs. July 16 @ 3 pm (School Age)

· Happy Birds performance, Thurs. July 23 @ 3 pm (School Age)

· Adventure Theater, Thurs. July 30 @ 3 pm (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.

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. The Summer Challenge Program will be held May 15 – Aug. 15, 2015.