Summer at the library

It's time once again for the annual Summer Reading Challenge at the library. This year's theme is "Read, Renew, Repeat," emphasizing our responsibility to care for the earth and the other creatures we share it with.

The Summer Reading Challenge gives everyone (child, teen or adult) the opportunity to read books and enter a prize drawing. When someone completes 10 books or 10 hours, the reader can choose a free book from our supply. For each additional 10 books or 10 hours, the reader gets a ticket to enter a drawing for a prize. Some of the prizes include a Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Kids. To participate, come into the Library and pick up a reading log. Tracking will be done through Beanstack, the link is conveniently located at the top of the webpage at kernlibrary.org.

Since you're going to be coming in to read anyway, why not check out the children's Lunch Program. This starts Tuesday, June 11 in the courtyard, and is free for children 2 to 18. Anyone over 18 can get a meal for $6. These lunches continue through Aug. 2. Lunches are served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Note: participants don't need a Kern County Library card to participate in the program.

The Friends of the Library help with funding that gives the library the opportunity to present all manner of programs and activities. In fact, the Tehachapi Branch is offering three activities per day during the Summer Reading Challenge. There will also be some special entertainers. In June these will include: Saturday, June 8, 11:30 a.m., Caricatures by Dr. Reyes; Thursday, June 13, 3 p.m., Kiddle Karoo musical puppet show' Friday, June 21, 1 p.m., Golden Meadow Goats (you get to pet baby goats); and Tuesday, June 25, 2:30 p.m., Cara C. Electric Pop Violinist. (Check the monthly calendars on the library's Facebook page or the library's website for other months.)

Much of the funding for these programs comes directly from you, our community, by purchasing books at one of our sales (the ongoing sale is always available downstairs at the library with some of the best prices on books you'll find). And also indirectly from you through your generous donations of books.

The recent Spring Sale was the most successful book sale the Friends of the Tehachapi Library have ever put on. The sale featured many generous donations, including vintage titles, vintage sets, specialty books, high-value titles, as well as the ever-popular Bag Sale. The regular cadre of Friends benefited from volunteer support from the community.

Library parents, library volunteers, a youth team, new members, regulars and book lovers pitched in and moved over 6,000 books from two storage areas in three hours. The Friends appreciate the "literary lift" and support. At sale's end, donations were made to three nonprofits in the community, and multiple boxes were scanned for online sale. Proceeds fund equipment, supplies, programs and events for our local Tehachapi branch of the Kern County Library.

The library is located at 212 S. Green St., Tehachapi. We hope to see you soon!