Registration is now open for the Carson City Library’s Summer Learning Challenge, which is open to all ages and encourages participants to read as well as develop other skills.
“The goal is not just reading, it’s also focusing a lot on education,” said creative learning librarian Aubrey White. “The theme is, Exercise Your Mind. We’ll be concentrating on the physical and mental aspects of summer.”
The challenge kicks off June 11 with a barbecue at the library and runs through Aug. 20. Participants will be divided into categories by age — 0-5, 6-12, 13-17, 18 and up — to track reading and other learning minutes. Prizes will be awarded for hitting certain milestones.
Throughout the summer there will be an assortment of activities, including outdoor games in the library’s Secret Garden and Minecraft.
The Summer Learning Challenge is one of several programs made possible through funding provided by the Friends of the Carson City Library.
“The Friends of the Carson City Library’s fundraising efforts through the book store and other programs are integral to the services the library and library staff provides to the community on a daily basis,” said Library Director Sena Loyd. “Our Summer Learning Challenge is one of many ways the Friends support the citizens of Carson City.”
Through the Browsers Corner Bookstore and other fundraising efforts, Friends donates about $50,000 annually to the library.
“As the bookstore has grown, the funds we have available has increased,” said Phyllis Patton, president of Friends of the Library. “That’s a good thing because as our library gets older, the needs and the wants have also increased. We work very closely with our staff.”
Patton said the organization concentrates its funding on providing books for the library and youth programs.
Friends supplements the leasing of books, ebooks and software databases.
“We know the entire community wants books,” Patton said. “We like to help them keep the latest best-sellers on the shelf.”
The priority, she said, is to provide services and programming for youth.
“The future of the city, this country, rests on our kids,” she said. “Anything we can do to help them be better prepared for their future is what we’re involved in.”
Participants of the Summer Learning Challenge will also learn the basics of coding through NCLab, a program that engages students in self-paced coursework.
White vouches for the ease of the program.
“I’m an English major,” he explained. “I’ve tried to learn coding in the past and it’s always been a disaster. This time, I’ve been successful in learning the fundamentals.”
The challenge will launch June 11 with daylong activities, including a barbecue from noon-1:30 p.m. The barbecue is free to challenge participants, and $5 for those who are not.
Those interested may register at carsoncitylibrary.org/summerlearning through Aug. 20.