San Mateo County libraries work to provide summer programming for youth

“We’re encouraging everything from engaging in books, to finding different ways to explore their community, explore the county, and to really get their brains engaged in ways that are going to benefit them when they’re headed back to school in the fall,” Staples said.

This will be the second year that San Mateo County Libraries will incorporate alternative modes of learning and “equalizing it” to offer a variety of ways young people can remain engaged, Staples said.

While reading and books are an integral component of libraries and of the work librarians do, some children learn better through other means. Last year, Staples recalled a child who shared that, for the first time, they were able to participate and submit as many summer logs as their sibling who is a strong reader.

“There are lots of ways to do important, critical learning, that can either start or end with a book, but you can also be outside with a magnifying glass learning about the bugs in your backyard,” Staples said.

The summer log this year presents a type of “deconstructed bingo” where participants need to mark off five activities before turning it in, Staples said. Activities this year include trying a wellness class, using technology available in the Makerspace at the library, attending three library events or picking up seeds from a Seed Library.

Vegetable, fruit and herb seeds are available at the Belmont, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Pacifica Sanchez, Pacifica Sharp Park, San Carlos and Woodside locations. After grabbing some, residents can go home, learn about gardening and understand the life cycle of plants. Similar programs offered throughout the summer look to “tie all the pieces together” while children either picnic at the lawns near the library or participate in the free lunch programs.

Lunch at the Library, which is offered at the Brisbane, North Fair Oaks, East Palo Alto and Half Moon Bay locations, will also continue this summer, supplementing the needs students and families may have when school’s out.

“It’s meant to fill that gap,” Staples said. “If you’re getting your meals at school, and you’re not at school, what happens?”

Closing gaps of need is the ethos of the San Mateo County Libraries system, and while support and programs are available year round, the summer is a good time to make sure no one slips through the cracks, Staples said.

While summer programming may center around giving children something to do while on break from school, the promotion of constant learning is something for adults as well. While parents may feel like they’re not equipped to teach their children the fundamentals of physics or teach them a new language, Staples said the library is there to encourage learning at all ages.

“You can learn together, explore together,” Staples said. “It’s OK to not have all the answers, but just be open and curious. I want families to feel empowered to do the learning on their own terms.”

From empowering parents to learn alongside their child or assuring anyone who is no longer in school that education can happen outside the classroom, the Summer Adventure challenge is open to all ages. Staples said she hopes anyone interested participates and becomes more familiar with all the libraries have to offer.

“We want to encourage opportunities to keep learning, for families to learn together, for children to find their own path to learning,” Staples said.

Anyone who turns in a completed Summer Adventure log is entered for a chance to win prizes, like a $1,000 scholarship or tickets to see the San Francisco Giants.

Visit www.smclsummer.org for more information.