It already feels like summer at the Library

You wouldn't know it by the weather outside, but things are heating up at the library. Even though it is still winter, we are getting in gear to kick off our summer reading challenge.

Last year, our summer reading challenge had 370 participants, but we also had almost 2,000 people attend our programs in June and July, and we served over 600 free lunches through our lunch at the library program in conjunction with Tehachapi Unified School district. Our kickoff event last year was Tehachapi's first ever Comic Con event where nine artists were on hand to share their work. We also had members from three different cosplay groups on hand to judge our costume contest which had almost 30 entries. Our teen advisory board also put together a letter writing campaign to celebrities and received a signed picture from Robert Downey, Jr. and a personal video from Sir Ian McKellan. (If you haven't heard how he pronounces Tehachapi, I highly recommend checking it out on the library's Facebook page.)

We want to do even more this year, and we are already off to a great start. This year's Comic Con will include a free showing of a movie generously donated by the Hitching Post Theaters and a family-friendly cosplay themed comedy show. This summer we also have plans to continue our Lunch at the Library program, but we also have some very exciting new things on the horizon: who wants to learn how to play the Ukulele?

One thing to remember as we prepare for another amazing summer is that none of these events are possible without community donations. So, as we get closer to the summer, it might be worth asking yourself, what can I do for the library? We love partnering with different groups in the community, we will be looking for volunteers, or you or your business could sponsor a specific program; their cost varies anywhere from $20 for a simple STEM project to $400 for a performance.

If you want to find out how you can help with summer reading, call me or come by the library.

The Tehachapi Branch Library is located at 212 S. Green St., and we can be reached at (661) 822-4938. Hours are Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

–Veronica Wilson, MA, is the Branch Supervisor for Tehachapi and California City Libraries.