Quality programs at library creating a vibrant summer of learning for Carson City youth

Carson City, NV – From the Carson Library and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, librarian-led summer programs and activities are over the halfway point and more than 1,500 community youth are participating. Summer reading pages for prizes, technology enrichments, video journalism and art clinics are among the most popular ways youth are spending time.

“We're in week 6 of our 8 week Summer Reading Program collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada. Each week, a different group of kids has the chance to engage in a combination of literacy-building, teamwork, problem-solving, and technology through our Summer Reading Program "Dig Into Reading" themed technology class. The kids work together to plan out, film, and edit short videos using an iPad and an iMovie application. The response from the kids so far has been overwhelmingly positive and each week we have both new kids and previous participants asking to join in the next class,” said Steve Baglin, youth services librarian. The main subject of the weekly “movies” centers on archeological digs through a pint-sized T-Rex model buried and uncovered each week in the Club’s garden plot, temporarily converted to a “dig” site.

Archeologists visit Club and bring Smithsonian-quality collection for hands on learning
Opening a lecture last week with Indiana Jones themed music, Jim Bunch and Patti DeBunch of Eezta Research Associates spoke to about 30 kids at the Club and brought samples of their collection. The interactive, hands-on learning opportunity engaged 10 year-old Club member Giovani “I was surprised to have these scientists at the Club. I usually go to Mexico every summer and visit museums there,” he said of the artifacts from DeBunch’s native country.

"Traveling through the eyes of archaeology and through books, we are here in the same room but we are traveling through four different countries," said DeBunch as she opened her two-hour lecture focused on Nevada’s Lovelock Caves, Egypt, Columbia and Mexico.

“It was exciting to have Patti and Jim here from Eetza Research Associates, I was aware of their amazing work when I worked as the librarian at the Nevada Department of Transportation since they were archaeologists there at the time. Our "Dig Into Reading" summer reading program theme was an opportune time to invite them to present to the Club youth. Allowing them to learn about our collective human history through archaeology was something they will never forget,” said Sena Loyd, Carson City’s Technology Trainer.

Eezta Research Associates hold current statewide permits for conducting cultural resource investigations from the Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office and from the Nevada State Museum.

Breaking Free with the vibrancy of abstract art and color
On July 11 the library opened Breaking Free, an exhibition by artist Julianne Perkins. The exhibit displays 25 of Perkins’ original abstract work in oils and acrylics and is featured in the library auditorium thru August 15. Perkins is offering three separate artist clinics exclusively for community teens ages 13 - 18. Upon completion of one or more of the clinics teen artists are invited to join Perkin’s exhibition and display their work during a closing reception August 15 from 4 – 8 p.m.

“I graduated from Carson High School in 2010 and still value the influence of my high school art teacher, Mrs. Caston. She taught me to take risks and be a leader. This show is a collection of my art work that is, for the most part, accumulated within the last year. I find the pieces uniquely show moments in my life where I pushed myself to take new strides,” said Perkins” I can’t wait to share my love of art with other kids in my hometown.”

Perkins is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Liberal Arts at Oregon State University and will join colleagues and faculty in September to study abroad in Siena, Italy.

Video Journalists at work in library’s @Two Digital Learning Center, launched by C-SPAN
Five teams of teen video journalists are currently in production with stories conceived during an intense two hour workshop last week with C-SPAN video journalist and Community Relations Representative Justine Jablonska. With Carson Library, Boys and Girls Club and Carson City School District leaders, more than fifteen BGCWN teens attended a morning press conference hosted by Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell about C-SPAN coming to Carson City. Youth were able to see firsthand the elements involved in video journalism. Then during the subsequent workshop they worked together to story-board ideas considered newsworthy. The C-SPAN teens are now working twice a week in two hour segments at both the Club and the Library to develop 5 – 7 minute videos that will be shared through a number of distribution channels in August.

“A community partnership like this transports the real world right into the Club. For the teens this is particularly interesting and offers them a chance to develop marketable skills. We’re thrilled to be part of this partnership with the Carson City Library and School District,” said BGCWN Chief Professional Officer Laurie Gorris. Carson City School District Community Engagement Coordinator Ben Contine agreed, “The Carson City School District’s strategic plan is clear, community partnerships will make the difference for our students. This library-led out of school time learning opportunity with the Club will pay dividends for our students this school year. This is just the beginning of partnerships that are taking shape throughout the community on behalf of our school children.”

Library approach to summertime learning
Successful learning programs accelerate learning and support positive youth development as part of a proactive approach to stemming summer learning loss. Programs achieve and maintain high-quality through strong leadership, careful planning, extensive staff development, strategic partnerships, continual evaluation and focus on sustainability, according to the National Summer Learning Association.

“Initiatives are building on long-standing and successful library summer programs with new programs and opportunities leveraged from added technology and growing partnerships,” said Library Interim Director, Tammy Westergard. “The quality of programs are in line with what families would enjoy through expensive summer camps and at the library these opportunities are free to all youth. Educators from the Carson City School District and leaders from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada are engaged partners this summer and the kids love it.”

About the @Two Digital Learning Center:
The Carson City Library’s @Two Digital Learning Center mission is to connect and equip schools, business, families and the community to deliver high quality learning opportunities that enrich time spent in school or strengthens self-directed learning. A full list of technology classes and equipment is available at www.carsoncitylibrary.org , or call 887-2244 to speak with a technology librarian.
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SIDEBAR:
Summer 2013 Art Workshops for Teens. In a series of three artists clinics community youth are invited to participate at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada located at 1870 Russell Way. Taught by Julianne Perkins clinics are free to teens ages 13 – 17, materials are provided. Follow up “packaging seminars” held at the Carson City Library in the @Two Digital Learning Center are also a part of the youth experience. Conducted by Tammy Westergard, Interim Director, youth learn the elements of describing and packaging original work to provide context about the artist for those who come to see work displayed publically. This includes developing artists statements, taking artist pictures and creating informational fliers and posters. Interested youth can come to the Club and report to the art-room. Teen artist participants are invited to join Julianne’s exhibition and display their work during a closing reception August 15 from 4 – 8 p.m.

July 24, 2013 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Yes You Do Have Talent”
If you can’t draw a straight line, or you aren’t Picasso but love to doodle, this is the workshop for you! Come discover your talents through the use of pencil, colored pencil and markers.

July 31, 2013 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Cutting and Pasting a New Reality”
Come put your imagination and visions on paper using collage and other materials. This is a simple but fun way to explore your creativity.

August 7, 2013 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Painting Yourself”
Forget everything you learned about painting in elementary school! Come explore painting in a whole new way. Once you get a feel for the material, you will create a self portrait in any way you desire.

For more information visit www.carsoncitylibrary.org , or call 887-2244.

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