Spring Programs Bloom at the Library

TWEEN HANGOUTS, BIBLIOBIKE, SOCIAL SERVICES FAIR COMING UP

Jon Haupt

Spring is here in Healdsburg, and that means it is time to get outdoors and celebrate the joy of reading in our beautiful community. Perhaps you have spotted our beloved blue BiblioBike around town lately, as we have appeared at Healdsburg Climate Fest and Giorgi Park. What follows are some upcoming programs to look forward to.

Last week, our popular Family Storytime moved out to Giorgi Park on Friday afternoons. We are planning to roll over to the park with the BiblioBike on May 5 and 12 at 10:30am. Look for more story times coming up every other week in June and July. With family story times currently trending toward our youngest readers, Miss Charity has also started a monthly Preschool Storytime, aimed at those ages 3–6, on the second Tuesday of each month. The next event will be on May 9 at 10:30am.

We are excited that our new Tween Hangouts continue to build interest. These events, aimed at grades 4–6, happen every Monday after school at 3:30. Later this month, we are planning an opportunity to build KEVA creations and art, mindful glitter jars and the always-popular Universal Yums.

On Thursday, May 18 from 3–5pm, we are pleased to roll out another new program, our Social Services Fair. In collaboration with various local organizations, we are offering an opportunity to access resources for mental health, housing support, hunger relief, Narcan education, legal services and pet care.

We have talked for a long time about providing a program that will help people access resources here at the library, a neutral space dedicated to helping our entire community. Are you in need of some support, or do you know someone who does? This will be a good opportunity to connect with resources without having to find transportation to other parts of the county. We hope to continue providing similar resource fairs as the year progresses.

Another common concern of our patrons is figuring out what to do with documents that are out of date, but contain personal information. Identity theft is a painful and costly problem. Lack of storage space and a collective effort to recycle whenever possible also contribute to this area of concern.

Thankfully, Becoming Independent is ready to help with the Secured Document Shredding Truck. On Saturday, May 20 from 10am-noon, come to the library with your papers, blueprints, newspapers, brochures, mail and file folders to shred. There is a limit of three boxes per person, and the Shredding Truck cannot work with laminated paper, cardboard, telephone books, hardcover books, plastics, passports or x-rays.

Finally, we are looking forward to the start of Summer Reading in June. After a few years of taking it slow with the pandemic, the library is ready to provide a full slate of programs, prizes and reading for everyone. We will have events for adults, teens and children of all ages; be hosting Lunch in the Library every weekday for eight weeks after school gets out; and have a summer reading challenge for all ages, where you can win free books and prizes for participating.

More to come in the next column. But for more information, visit your library today. We look forward to seeing you.

Jon Haupt is the branch manager of the Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper St., open daily.