Santa Monica Public Library is excited to announce the 2021 Summer Reading program, “Reading Colors Your World,” which runs from Monday, June 21 through Sunday, August 15. Get ready to read with this free, all-ages program. Register in person at the Main Library, Pico Branch Curbside and Montana Avenue Branch Curbside, or online at smpl.beanstack.org. Track your reading over the summer to reach the goal of 10 hours/600 minutes read. Kids and teens earn special activity kits at 300 and 600 minutes read, and adults are entered into a prize drawing after 600 minutes read.
The Library’s Summer Reading program kicks off with a fun, interactive show for the whole family: Monster Playhouse with Kiddle Karoo! Join organizers on Monday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. for songs, dancing, puppets and more. Register in advance here: bit.ly/KiddleKarooSMPL. In July, kids ages 5 & up can learn how to create shadow puppets and a screen with their Summer Reading show, “Spin Me a Shadow, Tell Me a Tale,” on Monday, July 12 at 2:30 p.m. Register in advance here: bit.ly/FirelightSTsmpl The library’s Summer Reading program finale is the must-see show, “Virtual Insect Discovery Lab.” On Friday, August 13, at 2:30 p.m., explore the fantastic lives of beetles, millipedes, tarantulas, walking sticks, whip scorpions and more in a live presentation with the staff at SaveNature.org. Register in advance here: bit.ly/DiscoveryLabSMPL.
The Library is offering a special program for teens, too! Teens ages 14-18 can register for “The Writes of Summer: A Novel Writing Workshop for Teens,” led by authors Suzanne Park (Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous) and Liz Lawson (The Lucky Ones) on Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register for this free program here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsduihrDMoG9EM-d7H_kGnLe-8tox1X3ax
For adults, we have they annual Santa Monica Reads program, featuring book discussions and special events from June 28 through August 22. A free book giveaway of this year’s featured title, The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue, starts Monday, June 21. Books are available while supplies last. On Saturday, August 21, at 2 p.m. they will host a virtual author talk; access the program at bit.ly/32FOHUz.
They hope to see you at the Library this summer! In-person service is available at the Main Library, and contactless Curbside Pickup service is available at the Montana Avenue and Pico Branches. For a full list of programs and library resources, as well as library locations and hours, please visit smpl.org.
They encourage you to visit our Online Library and access the Library’s many digital services that are available 24/7. Questions? Call (310) 458-8600 or email reference@santamonica.gov. Staff are available Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday 2 to 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 1st Saturday of each month 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Submitted by Ann Wilson, Youth Services Librarian
