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Published on 07/29/1996 All articles from this issue

Kids receive free book for reading at Los Altos and Woodland libraries

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By Kristina Allen / Town Crier Staff Writer

This summer, and all year long, the Los Altos Main Library is more than just a place to find books. Kids of all ages can enjoy various programs and reading clubs.

Throughout July and August, there is a children's program every weekday at the main branch and at the Woodland Library.

On Mondays at the Woodland Library, children, age 4 and up, can enjoy the "Bedtime Stories" program at 7 p.m. A different nighttime story will be read aloud to entertain the children before their bedtimes.

Two times a week, Tuesdays and Fridays, at 10:30 a.m., it's "Toddler Time" at the library, for all ages from 3 and older. Every session takes on a different theme.

For example, one day might focus on "Dog Tails" and all featured books and reading will be about dogs, or "Summer Stories" would be readings about things related to the summertime.

"It is hard to get older kids to participate in the programs," said Molly Tod, main library children's program librarian, "although, I think they would enjoy them (the programs)."

"Winning Wednesdays" offers different shows and programs for children age 5 and up. Each Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Los Altos Library Program Room, kids can see things from a magic show to a performance of piñata shows.

"We are running about 80 kids for each program," Tod said. "There were over 100 here to see the magician and every magic book was checked out that week."

Upcoming shows are: Asian folktales told with music and movement by Eth-Noh-Tec Creations on July 31; funny stories from around the world told by Yolanda Rhodes on Aug. 7; and clowning around with Gracie the Clown on Aug. 14.

Another program during the summer is the summer reading club where kids, preschool to junior high school age, have from June 15 and Aug. 14 to read 10 or more books to earn a free paperback book.

There are more than 1,000 children in the reading program at both the Los Altos and Woodland libraries.

"The Friends of the Library (of Los Altos) funds these programs," Tod said. "The paperback books the kids earn are bought by them and they help us a lot."

On Aug. 21, the Summer Reading Club awards party will be at the two libraries for the active readers where they will receive their free book and a certificate of completion.

Along with the youngsters, there is a Teen Summer Reading Program for the first time ever at both libraries. Teens, age 13 to 19, sign up and can read as few as five books to receive a reward at the end of the summer.

"Not sure what we will give them yet," said Larry Condit, young adult services librarian. "Possibly a free book or a gift certificate to a bookstore."

There are only 50 kids in the teen program this summer, but Condit hopes the rewards will be an enticement for more kids to join next year.

"We have a lot of suggestions on what to read in the young adult section." Condit said.

This fall, Condit is trying to get kids to read books and write a brief review of it to put on the Los Altos and Woodland libraries' Internet web sites.

"Also, the graphic terminals will be in the library in the beginning of September which will help us teach the kids how to use and get information off the Internet," Condit said.

For more information, call the Los Altos Library at 948-2751 or the Woodland Library at 969-6030.