I am eternally frustrated by Santa Ana’s lack of public libraries as we still have only one of them, plus a learning center, but the one library we do have is rather well run. I tend to visit the library, along with one or two of my boys, about every other week. Yesterday I went to the library with my five year old and was pleasantly surprised.
The library staff, which is excellent, is promoting a number of summer reading activities. Their overall theme this summer is “Catch the Reading Bug.” They have quite a few prizes set aside for kids who read a certain number of books this summer. And they have set up divisions for different ages.
The different divisions come along with reading recommendations. For example, picture books for my 5 year old and young adult books for my 11 year old. And the program is also supported by bookmarks and themed checklists where the kids can keep track of the books they read.
What is unique about this summer’s program is that the library also has set up a reading program for parents. The books they are recommending include books about raising kids and books in Spanish too.
The library also has a number of other programs that are coming up soon, including:
- Bugs and Bug Eaters, Tuesday, June 24, at the Newhope Learning Center at 3:30 p.m. and at the main library at 6:30 p.m. Meet six, eight and multi-legged critters!
- Bubble Show, Tuesday, July 1, at the Newhope Learning Center at 3:30 p.m. and at the main library at 6:30 p.m. See the award winning bubble show (that you had to pay a lot for at the Discovery Center).
- The Really Big Bug Show, Thursday, July 10, at the Newhope Learning Center at 3:30 p.m. and at the main library at 6:30 p.m. This is a one-woman variety show featuring entertainer Karen Rae Kraut. Come enjoy music, matgic and more!
- Don’t Bug Me Magic Show, Tuesday, July 15, at the main library at 6:30 p.m., and Thursday, July 17, at the Newhope Learning Center, at 6:30 p.m.
- Dr. Sue’s Traveling Insect and Arthropod Zoo, Thursday, July 25 at the Newhope Learning Center at 3 p.m. and at the main library at 6:30 p.m.
- Juggler David Cousin, Tuesday, July 29, at the Newhope Learning Center at 3 p.m. and at the main library at 6:30 p.m.
- Mariachi Magic, featuring Rafael and Katia, Tuesday, August 5, at the Newhope Learning Center at 3 p.m. and at the main library at 6:30 p.m.
The Newhope Learning Center is located at 122 N. Newhope St., on the west side of Santa Ana, and the Main Library is located at 26 Civic Center Plaza, in downtown Santa Ana. You can find out more about these locations at this link.
Kudos to the staff at the Santa Ana Library for putting on so many great events and programs this summer!
Neet place, I go there a couple times a week.
I’ve always appreciated the professionalism demonstrated by the Santa Ana Public Library staff. It’s a shame that SAUSD didn’t get this information to the students before they left school for the summer.
SAUSD still has a chance to pass it on, Summer School begins this week.