In coordination with the launch of the Yolo County Library Summer Reading Program, the Winters Community Library has big plans for the summer.
Ashleigh Torres, Winters Library Branch Supervisor, said residents can officially begin to log their reading for the 2023 summer reading program on June 1.
“We will have a wide variety of programs for all ages all throughout the summer,” Torres said. “The theme this year is All Together Now, which focuses on unity and friendship, which I think is a perfect fit for the Winters community.”
The Winters Library is introducing a weekly series of All Together Outside programs, which is being funded by a California State Library grant received by Yolo County Library. Torres said the events will focus on local wildlife and recreational opportunities. This summer, the Winters Library is partnering with Putah Creek Council to provide the Creek Explorers program every Wednesday at 2 p.m. starting on June 7.
“This program is for (youths) 6–11 years old to come and learn about the stream and the creatures that call Putah Creek their home. Participants will also be able to do hands-on activities related to each theme,” Torres said encouraging families to attend together.
Yolo County Library is also offering a series of weekly All Together Outside programs at all Yolo County branches from June 10 to Aug. 15. The free events will focus on local wildlife and recreation opportunities starting with a kick-off festival on Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Capay Open Space Park, located at 15603 County Road 85 in Capay.
This family-friendly event, in collaboration with the Yolo County Parks Division, Tuleyome and Latino Outdoors, will feature a nature walk, bilingual storytime in English and Spanish, a musical performance by Cascada de Flores, fun activities and a resource fair with information about wildlife, conservation groups, nearby hiking trails, recreational opportunities and more.
The schedule of the All Together Outside events can be found on the county library’s online calendar at YoloCounty
Library.org/Events.
The themes of All Together Now and All Together Outside are fitting complements for this summer’s program, as exposure to books and the outdoors from an early age fosters empathy, curiosity and an appreciation for the beauty and diversity around us, according to a Yolo County Library media release.
“Both nature and reading offer opportunities to explore new worlds and ideas,” said Yolo County Librarian Diana Lopez. “Together, they are a reminder that we are all connected to the natural world and to each other.”
Community members who are interested in signing up for the Summer Reading Program can visit the library to obtain a paper reading log or can go online to register at yolocountylibrary.org/summer.
The Summer Reading Program is free and sponsored by the Yolo County Library Foundation and the various Friends of the Library groups, including Winters Friends of the Library for local programming this year.
Program participation
All Yolo County residents who sign up for the program can choose a free book from a selection available at their local library branch. Participants who complete the summer reading challenge will receive another free book and a prize, as well as an entry into a final raffle for additional prizes.
Children ages 0-12 will also receive a certificate for a free kid’s meal at Raising Cane’s. Prizes will be available to pick up through the end of August, or while supplies last.
Participants are encouraged to track the books they have read, log reading minutes, complete activities to earn badges and prizes and discover new books online through the Beanstack platform on the web or via the app. Parents or caregivers can sign up and quickly log their own and their children’s reading under one main account.
The summer reading programs can encourage even reluctant readers to read more of what interests them, and studies have shown that participation helps children and teens to develop a love of reading and retain and improve their skills over the summer. Adult participation promotes a lifelong habit of reading and learning and encourages caregivers and families to support their child’s literacy development by reading with them.
View the Winters events on the Yolo County Library calendar to find programs and events hosted at the Winters Community Library.
