All Ages Welcome in Library's Summer Reading Program

This is the last week of school for most students within the , but that doesn't mean that reading should take a summer break.

The Gilroy Library’s summer reading program will kick off next week, part of the popular Santa Clara County Libraries’ program that began June 1.

 “It’s always been a very popular program—we’ve had it since what seems like the beginning of time,” said Lani Yoshimura, head librarian at the

Gilroy was one of the county’s first libraries to open the program not only for young children, but also for teens and adults, said Yoshimura. They can share books with one another online, comment and swap.

“Teens often like different things than the younger kids,” she said, noting that the library’s teen program will include looking into the Gilroy community and using the Internet.

For adults, the program will be less structured and will complement the year-round book club. Participants will be welcome to join an author's talk with Zoe Ferraris in August.

All ages are welcome to participate. Parents can join with their kids and read to them, for example, she said.

More than 600 people participated last year, said Yoshimura, and many years have seen as many as 800.

With the new library, the librarian said she expects 1,000 or more to participate.

Even at the current location, circulation is up 25 percent from this time last year, helped by the convenience of new self-checkout machines.

Adults receive a book bag when they join, teens get a free book and folder, and younger kids get a free book and certificate upon completion. Teens can also receive an extra prize for reaching their goal.

Registration is available either on the library website or in person, and it continues until the program ends.

The children's program will begin at the library June 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m., and run until Aug. 4. The teen program will begin on Wednesday, June 15, at 4 p.m. and run through July 20. 

• Sign up in person or online for children, teens and adults.
• Earn a prize by setting a goal and keeping a record of the titles read this summer.
• Kids who haven't learned to read yet can have their parents read to them—or listen to recordings. There are audiobooks on CDs and cassettes to check out and even download. And Tumblebooks, semi-animated books for the computer, are available on the library website.
• For questions, call the Gilroy Library at 408-842-8207.
• Winners of raffles at each of the libraries in the Santa Clara County Library system will be announced Aug. 26.