Cool Things Are Happening at the Library This Summer

Sometimes, especially in the summer, we need a helping hand to be our best selves and not just feed our kids a steady diet of Cheetos and Mario Kart.

Thankfully, the Fresno County Library is helping out with its Summer Challenge and Meals Program, which kicks off Monday, June 12. It’s part of an effort to end summer learning slumps and promote healthy food choices, but it’s also something entertaining and exciting for your kids to do while school is out.

My kids have participated in the Summer Challenge in the past. It’s completely free to sign up and it gives kids motivation to read on their off time. As children check off their completed books, there are prizes and free books to win! It’s amazing how many books a kid will read for a reward system.

This summer’s theme is “Reading By Design,” so library programs and materials will reference technology, science, art and math. Also beginning Monday, June 12, is the Lunch at the Library program. Monday through Friday, kids 18 and under can stop by their local Fresno County Library and get a free, healthy meal (hours vary by location).

Additionally, there will be free entertainment at the library throughout the summer for kids and teens (check out the event calendar here). Entertainment ranges from E & M’s Reptile Family to bubble magic. Even the Discovery Center will be visiting the library and showing some cool science experiments.

Teens can be involved as well with activities such as Washi Tape notebook design and Improv Workshops. This means your teen will be funny AND decorative by the end of summer (maybe). Who knew learning could be so easy? Often these free events fill up, so you have to act fast.

How to Sign Up

If this is something you’re interested in, you can sign up for the Summer Challenge at any library branch starting Monday.

To join the Summer Challenge and Meals Kick-Off Celebration, head to the Betty Rodriguez Library from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. on June 12. At this free event, Kopi Sotiropulos will be running Storytime. Mic drop. The end.

Just kidding! I know Kopi is super exciting, but there’s much, much more. For example, Clifford the Big Red Dog will make an appearance, there will be science experiments, free lunch for youth 18 and younger, free produce for families, bubbles, and books! Be prepared to have more fun at the library than you ever thought possible, because it’s more than books now. It’s about feeding the mind and body (and having some fun!).

Make plans to spend the summer with your favorite librarian because I’ve only scratched the surface. For a complete list of library activities by branch, click here for the library calendar.

Event Details

Kick-Off Party at Betty Rodriguez Library, 3040 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93703
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
You can check out the Summer Challenge and Lunch Kick-Off event page on Facebook here.
Lunch at the Library Program Schedule is here.