For Immediate Release
May 29, 2019
Please Note: The 2019 Summer Reading program has ended. Associated pages and events are closed. Please contact us if we may be of help with locating current programs and URLs. We will be happy to assist. Or, you may consider using our website search box to locate current information on the desired service or program.
“It’s Showtime at Your Library!” starting Saturday, June 1, 2019
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is once again partnering with the San Francisco 49ers and The Tech Interactive (formerly the Tech Museum of Innovation) for the 2019 Summer Reading Program – It’s Showtime at Your Library! Last year’s program saw record participation among children, teens and adults. Nearly 33,000 people read more than 178,000 books collectively, surpassing the target.
“With a 28% increase in participation from the year before, it was truly incredible to see so many people take part in last year’s Summer Reading program,” said County Librarian Nancy Howe. “We want to put books in the spotlight this summer and get even more people reading.”
The Summer Reading program, which starts on June 1, challenges participants to read at least five books of any length. Registration began on May 1, 2019. Adults, teens and children who sign up will receive a special gift (while supplies last). People who sign up at sccl.org/summer2019 or the new Beanstack app, log at least five books and complete one activity will be entered to win prizes, including passes to the 49ers Museum at Levi’s Stadium, Gilroy Gardens, the Children’s Musical Theater’s presentation of James and the Giant Peach and more. Additionally, readers 13+ will be entered in a drawing to win a four-pack of passes to a special San Francisco 49ers Pre-Season Game Day Experience.
SCCLD Libraries are hosting a number of family-friendly events to coincide with It’s Showtime at Your Library!, including: performances from bilingual ensemble group Cascada de Flores, who bring Mexican songs and traditions to life; a Battle of the Bands competition for teenage musicians; and Antique Appraisals, where people can find out the worth of their treasures. There will also be additional events with magical and musical family-friendly fun.
Studies show school-aged children are susceptible to the so-called “Summer Slide,” where a child’s reading ability goes down when school is not in session. The best way to combat that is to continue reading and keeping the mind active. In fact, research shows that the amount of time children spend reading outside of school is linked to gains in reading achievement. Adults can reap the benefits of reading also – research suggests keeping mentally active can stave off memory loss and cognitive decline.
“Summer Reading is the blockbuster event of the year! It’s something everyone can enjoy,” said County Supervisor and Library Joint Powers Authority Board Chairman Mike Wasserman. “Whether it’s a good book or an engaging activity, kids and teens can go to the library to learn and have fun. Adults can also enjoy all of the books, music, DVDs, programs and other services the library has to offer.”
This year, SCCLD is challenging all Summer Reading participants to collectively read 200,000 books. So, whether you like the classics, fictional dramas, action-packed comics, romantic novels, or thrillers, the Summer Reading program can introduce you to an all-star lineup of literary characters!
About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 2 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work. In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2017, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.
The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2017, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 328,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.2 million visitors, who borrowed over 9 million items.
Contact:
Nancy Howe/Diane Roche/Mariana Walker
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3080/3047
