For Immediate Release
June 25, 2015
Please Note: The 2015 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.
From Teen Lock-Ins and Makerspace Kits to Movie Nights and Tech Challenges, Today’s Libraries offer Teens Fun, Games and Learning Opportunities throughout Summer
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. According to a recent report, “Accelerating Achievement,” http://bit.ly/1dMMQBk, authored by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) and funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the summers before and after middle school are some of the most critical transitions in a young person’s academic career. In addition, the transition from eighth to ninth grade is one of the most pivotal phases in a student’s education, and one of the most treacherous. In fact, according to a 2011 Education Week article, a ninth grade student is three to five times more likely to fail a class than students in any other grade. Teens who continue to read and learn over the summer are better prepared for these transitions.
Santa Clara County Library District’s Summer Challenge provides teens with fun, entertaining and educational ways to continue learning over the summer. Unmask! Every Hero has a Story, the theme of this year's Summer Challenge for teens, runs through August 15, 2015. All SCCLD libraries are offering special programs for youth ages 13-18, including tech workshops, henna art, and graphic novel making workshops. For a full schedule of events, visit our online calendar or check in with your local teen librarian.
“According to the NSLA, only about one-third of households participate in a summer learning opportunity!” stated Emily Lo, Chair, Joint Powers Authority of Santa Clara County Library District and Saratoga City Council member. “We challenge all households with school age children to try at least one new summer program this year. Not only are these activities fun, but they are free!”
“SCCLD has worked to create distinctive programs and activities that are part of the Summer Challenge that teens will find appealing,” stated Nancy Howe, County Librarian. From knitting classes, programming courses, and Zumba exercises to movie matinees, Teen Lock-ins and even Minecraft, teens have plenty from which to choose.
SCCLD also provides online tools and resources accessible on tablets and smartphones that can help teens continue learning over the summer. LearningExpress is an interactive online learning program that helps build skills in math, social studies, writing and reading comprehension; BrainFuse is a program that provides real-time, online homework assistance and skill building.
Teens also have access to thousands of resources at their local libraries that can help them stay engaged this summer, including movies, books, music CDs, language courses, and eBooks. Should they have extra time to spare, teens (14-17) are welcome to volunteer at their local libraries; applications are accepted on a rolling basis as space becomes available. Contact your local library for schedules and volunteer opportunities.
To find out more about these programs, go to www.sccld.org.
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 1.9 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 2014, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014, SCCLD won a Top Innovator Award from the Urban Libraries Council for its innovative program to revive episodic fiction.
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 2014, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 225,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.4 million items, making it one of the most used resources in the region. Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.
Contact:
Nancy Howe/Mark Fink/Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3010/3014
