Long Beach Dictionary Days Celebrates 15th Anniversary
On February 28, 2018, the Long Beach Public Library Foundation and the Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation celebrated the 15th Anniversary of Dictionary Days and over 115,000 dictionaries gifted to Long Beach 3rd grade students as part of the program.
Check out the video below of the celebration at Los Altos Neighborhood Library.
Mayor’s Book Club Welcomed Best-selling Children’s Author Jan Brett to Long Beach
Hundreds gathered as Mayor Robert Garcia welcomed New York Times best-selling children’s author, Jan Brett at a free community event on December 9, 2017 at the Aquarium of the Pacific. This second annual Mayor’s Book Club event featured Brett’s latest book, The Mermaid, and was sponsored by the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the Mayor’s Fund for Education, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Public Library.
“I grew up reading. I grew up in libraries. It’s really important that we promote reading and literacy and great events that engage all people,” said Mayor Garcia as he invited Mrs. Brett to the stage.
Known for her intricate and vibrant illustrations, Brett inspired young artists in the crowd with a drawing demonstration of a Giant Pacific Octopus from her book, a species of octopus featured in an Aquarium of the Pacific exhibit and in her book.
“My favorite trait is curiosity because when I was little it was the thing that made me want to try things for the first time and made me excited about the world,” Brett explained to the children when explaining how she was inspired to become a writer.
“The Long Beach Public Library and our Foundation are committed to promoting literacy and education in Long Beach. Studies show that children who do not learn how to read proficiently by the 3rd grade are four times more likely than their peers to leave high school without a diploma. This event is just one way we aim to inspire our city’s next generation of readers and turn that statistic around,” said Kate Azar, Executive Director of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation.
LBUSD Board of Education President Megan Kerr, Aquarium of the Pacific President Dr. Jerry Schubel, Long Beach Public Library Foundation Executive Director Kate Azar, children’s author, Jan Brett, Mayor Robert Garcia and Mayor’s Fund for Education Executive Director Karissa Selvester.
At the end of the presentation, Karissa Selvester, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Fund for Education, announced that all children in attendance would receive a free copy of The Mermaid as an early holiday gift from her organization.
Barnes and Noble at the Long Beach Towne Center will donate a portion of book sales from the event to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation.
Brett’s artwork will be auctioned off for charity at the Long Beach Public Library Foundation’s upcoming Grape Expectations gala on June 10th, 2018. To get tickets or bid on the artwork, please contact the Library Foundation at info@LBPLfoundation.org.
The Mermaid, and Brett’s other award-winning children’s books are available for check out at the Long Beach Public Library.
Photos provided by Lindsey Ingram and the Mayor’s Fund for Education.
Sherriff McDonnell: Libraries are essential to our community
“Did you know that 70% of the people in our prisons never finished high school? In my nearly 4 decades in law enforcement, I see first-hand the impact that a lack of education has on the crime in our county. That’s why I support the Long Beach Public Library Foundation as a member of its Board of Advisors. I know that our libraries play a critical role in teaching our kids to read at an early age, offering free tutoring resources, and providing a safe place to go after school.
These services increase the likelihood that kids stay in school, lower rates of truancy, and set kids up for success in high school. Our libraries have a major impact on the economic success of our youth and the safety of our communities.
Please join me in building a safe and productive future for our kids and families by making a donation today to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation.”
Sheriff McDonnell previously served as Chief of the Long Beach Police Department and currently serves on the Board of Advisors of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation.
Libraries transform. Your donation will serve an an investment in our community. Any amount makes a difference!
It’s summertime! Let’s talk about school…
Our librarians are always advocates for education at every stage of life. But did you know that the Long Beach Public Library actually offers the opportunity to get a high school diploma? The Career Online High School is a free, accredited program for adult learners looking to expand their opportunities by furthering their education. Students are paired with online academic coaches who help them navigate the eighteen-month program designed to ensure that they’re ready for a career.
The Career Online High School is one of the most sought-after programs offered by the Library. Because enrollment is fully funded by scholarships from the Library and the Foundation, space is limited. Your support for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation makes it possible for us to continue offering these remarkable opportunities. You are literally changing lives in the most fundamental ways. Learn more about the Career Online High School here, or connect with a librarian about the program on the library’s main website.