Your summer may not look like you envisioned it earlier this year, but Jefferson County Public Library has you covered with all sorts of virtual activities and programs. With an endless array of books to read and virtual things to do, your imagination is the ticket to summer fun! Explore events for for kids of all ages, teens and adults!
You can continue building social connections and participating in engaging programs during the pandemic. Explore Summer Reading, opens a new window began June 1, and more than 15,000 people have already registered and are well on their way to earning great prizes, opens a new window and supporting the important mission of the Foothills Animal Shelter., opens a new window
Since the shutdown, 146 programs have been offered virtually, and over 6,600 people have tuned in to watch either a live or a recorded program. Stay connected as you discover programs for all ages and explore Summer Reading.
Babies, Preschoolers, Toddlers, School Age Kids
Kids love participating in our virtual Story Times, published on YouTube, opens a new window, Facebook, opens a new window and Twitter, opens a new window. Tune in Mondays – Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. to provide some fun and learning for your little ones. Early literacy and play are important for young kids, and these virtual story times are one way for that to happen.
- Mondays: Cuentacuentos, opens a new window
- Tuesdays: Baby & Toddler Time, opens a new window
- Wednesdays: Let’s Dance!, opens a new window
- Thursdays: Preschool Time, opens a new window
- Fridays: ASL Story Time, opens a new window
Despite having to adapt these programs to a virtual platform, JCPL librarians quickly learned to use video technology and new strategies to engage kids. And your responses have been encouraging for us to continue to produce great content.
“We’ve received really positive feedback from the community,” Kids & Families Librarian Karen Walker said. “Of all the virtual programming, virtual Story Times have had the highest attendance. Kids are loving it —even kids who don’t speak Spanish are watching Cuentacuentos. They’re hooked.”
The virtual offerings also allow families to watch Story Time whenever is convenient from the comfort of their own homes. All kids are able to participate!
Other events currently offered include a children’s martial arts class, opens a new window, Fairy Tale Science, opens a new window, Wacky Wednesdays with Salida Circus, opens a new window and Friday Crafternoons, opens a new window. Your kids can have a busy, fun-filled summer!
Tweens and Teens
A large number of virtual programs is also available for teens and tweens to participate in Summer Reading and connect with other friends and people in their age group.
- Dungeons & Dragons, opens a new window
- Read Out Proud, opens a new window
- Tween Coding Camps, opens a new window
- Teen Coding Camp, opens a new window
- Teen Robotics Camps, opens a new window
The response from all of you has been phenomenal, as teens have packed the virtual rooms, even maxing out the available room space for the Dungeons & Dragons and filling up the coding camps and robotics camps quickly. The biggest benefit has been the opportunity for teens and tweens to continue socializing.
“As youth have been in isolation for three months, the option of virtual programs helps to create connections with other teens in the community in a safe environment that offers an essential social outlet,” Teen Services Coordinator Arra Katona said. “While we miss seeing our teens in person, we are so happy to have this opportunity to connect with our community and be able to provide those social interactions that have been missing in their lives.”
Other programs for teens and tweens include the Wednesday Night Watch Party, opens a new window on Facebook, Young Readers Book Club, opens a new window, Fairy Tale Science, opens a new window, Friday Crafternoons, opens a new window and call-in meditation, opens a new window and mental fitness programs, opens a new window. Others are also in the works, including a virtual escape room and a Harry Potter Birthday event of “Animals of the Wizarding World by Nature’s Educators, opens a new window” on July 31 through Facebook Live. Join the fun!
Adults
The big programs for adults include opportunities to call in and refresh your mind and mental health, while de-stressing from the week. With all the technological issues and distractions that happen while working from home, it’s important to take a few minutes for your own relaxation and mental health, and also enjoy a little fun.
- Mid-Morning Meditation, opens a new window, in collaboration with the Jefferson Center for Mental Health
- Mental Fitness Fridays, opens a new window, in collaboration with the Jefferson Center for Mental Health
- Active Minds Mondays, opens a new window
- Qs and Brews Trivia, opens a new window
- Hard Times Writing Workshop, opens a new window
- Wednesday Night Watch Parties, opens a new window
- BYOB(ook) Group, opens a new window
The Mid-morning meditation, opens a new window and Mental Fitness Fridays, opens a new window are available to those who may be uncomfortable with a technology-heavy world, as they have the same number to call each week, without a need to remember a code or password.
“We’ve had tremendous feedback from our patrons on having the opportunity to build this practice of meditation and mental fitness,” said Grayson Stamm, Library to You supervisor. “It’s a new skill to try and learn which is more important now than ever.”
As the Library buildings begin to open again, these programs will continue on a virtual basis in some form or another, as capacity will be limited and safety protocols will still be in place. These programs have also shown us all that there are unique benefits from a virtual format.
All of these events are a way for you to participate in Summer Reading, opens a new window, log your activities and earn great prizes. It’s also a great way to connect with other people of your age group, have a lot of fun and Always Be Learning!
