​El Cerrito Library’s Summer Book Club handed out all 100 free copies of ​Island of the Blue Dolphins​. Young patrons were so excited to read this selection, and not-so-young patrons fondly remember their first time with this California classic, and were happy to re-read, this time with their own families. Whether or not you’ve read it, the Library invites you to join in on their virtual Book Club events:

Discoveries on Island of the Blue Dolphins, with Channel Islands National Park

Thursday, August 6, 2020, 2pm

Monique Navarro, Education Coordinator for ​Channel Islands National Park​ will interact live with the Library to observe, and discuss archaeological discoveries on San Nicolas Island (the actual island of the Blue Dolphins, and tell us about the Lone Woman (Karana). Get your questions ready…

Join us via Zoom!
To connect on the day of the program, please go to: ​https://zoom.us/j/8056585700 Zoom meeting ID: 8056585700

Island of the Blue Dolphins Summer Book Club Discussion

Thursday, August 13, 2pm

Join El Cerrito Librarians Katy and Alison as they dive into this beloved book, from its characters, the island of San Nicholas, and animal friends and visitors; to a frank discussion of the circumstances surrounding Karana being stranded on the island, and her eventual rescue and return to the Missions of the mainland. What do you think about the book? Let’s talk!

Join us via Zoom!
To connect on the day of the program, please go to: ​https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8413… Zoom meeting ID:​841 3146 3229 / Password: ECLReads

In addition to free copies of the book, and two fun + educational virtual programs, and in a nod to its title, the Library has adopted a dolphin from The Marine Mammal Center. Meet ​Baker D​! The Library has invited their online friends to learn all about Baker D via The Marine Mammal Center, which includes learning about conservation and marine biology, all good stuff.

And as part of our other ECL summer programming, the ​ASE/ECL Innovator Series​, where the Library works with local patron and parent Sri, on DIY STEAM activities for families to explore at home, they are hosting a Facebook Live event with the Marine Mammal Center on Thursday, August 13, 3pm, right after the Book Club Discussion! Join them on our ​Facebook Page ​to see the Center in action, and learn more about their work with marine life.

The Library’s Countywide Summer Reading Program’s theme this year is ​Dive Deep​, and as part of the ocean-related fun they hosted a Virtual Squid Dissection with ​SaveNature.org​ – Katy squirmed and Julia cheered. 🙂 And they are planning all sorts of good stuff for Sir Charlie, their moniker for the ​Charlie Cart​ the Library was able to purchase, and which will allow them to demonstrate cooking and healthy recipes for their patrons.

The Library continues to virtually host monthly Tween Book Club and Mystery Book Club; Storytimes with Katy and Julia on Wednesdays; First Bites, where they read snippets from classic books, on Thursdays, and Lunch at the Library Monday-Thursday.