CV Library Brings Back Programs, Adds New Ones
Get ready to turn more than pages at the Castro Valley Library this Fall. Some of the more popular programs are returning following a pandemic-influenced two-year hiatus. And some new ones are on the horizon.
In a series of announcements this month, the library staff has laid out its special events and programs for readers and knowledge seekers of all ages, says Chris Selig, the Adult Services Librarian at the Castro Valley Library.
“A library will always be a center of literacy along with the schools and the community,” Selig told the Forum. “We’re always about providing people with reading materials. But I think the way that libraries have stayed relevant all these years is by evolving with lots of different programs.”
For starters, the library will again be hosting its Homework Help Center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. for students ranging in grades 5 through 12. There is also an Advanced Math and Science Tutoring session on Mondays between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. Both are free and in-person sessions hosted by the library’s Homework Center staff and volunteers.
For the little ones, Pajama Storytime has returned on Monday nights starting at 7:00 p.m., which is perfect for the 3 to 5-year-old set. The weekly events are a great time to hear awesome stories. Slippers and stuffed animals are highly recommended.
In October, the library will be hosting an Introduction to Mindfulness Mediation with a teacher from the East Bay Meditation Center.
Two other new programs starting in October include The Page Turners and Young At Heart, Selig said.
“The Page Turners is a new book club that we’ve put together where we will have discussions about well-reviewed fiction and non-fiction books,” Selig said. “Because it’s October, we're going to start with a thriller of sorts. We’re starting with ‘The Plot’ by Jean Hanff Korelitz, which is centered on an author who stole his plot from a student.”
Young At Heart is an evening book discussion for adults that meets at the Castro Valley Library on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 pm. The group is for adults who want to read and discuss young adult books. In October, the group will discuss “The Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo, which is a National Book Award Winner.
“After the success of the Harry Potter series, we found more adults beginning to read young adult literature than ever," Selig said. "Some adults are also reading these books along with their kids. Others are interested in the stories and themes. So, we wanted a place for those readers to be able to discuss these types of books.”
In addition to these reading and discussion programs, Selig adds that the library has launched a Seed Sharing Library. These are locally harvested heirloom seeds available to gardeners, community volunteers, children, and library patrons. The library has volunteers who can teach residents how to save seeds to donate back to the Sharing Library, Selig said.
And this October marks the return of Halloween Trick or Treating activities including bag decoration and a do-it-yourself photo booth. This is capped off with costumed librarians handing out non-sugary treats for visitors.
“When mobile technology took off and anyone could get anything on their phone, there were people saying that libraries couldn’t survive,” Selig said. “But the fact of the matter is that we just keep evolving. If all you want is to read eBooks, we’ve got that, and you don’t have to step into the building, but you are getting those eBooks through your library.”
Finally, ramping up to the November 8 midterm elections, the library will be open as a voter resource site. Representatives from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters will be on hand between November 5-8 (Election Day) to help register voters and provide educational materials.
The Castro Valley Library is open every day except Fridays.