Staff Report
Community members are invited to join the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries for a weeklong celebration of children’s literacy, April 27-May 1. The Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries will host a series of online programs in honor of El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day).
El Día de los Niños, often called Día, is a national literacy initiative that celebrates children, families and reading, and “emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds,” according to the American Library Association.
Día represents a year-round commitment to sharing books with children, and is marked across the country by schools, libraries and families.
During the last week of April, community members can visit their local library branch during Sidewalk Service hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and pick up a free copy of the picture book “Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day;” “Celebremos El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros,“ written by Día founder Pat Mora.
Families are encouraged to read the book together in celebration of Día and all it represents, and to tune in online for the cultural programs hosted by the three library branches that week.
At Goleta Valley Library, online programming will include a Bilingual Storytime reading of “Book Fiesta!” 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 27; a Mexican Ice Cream Cake cooking tutorial, 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 28; and a DIY Maracas & Poncho video, 2 p.m. Thursday, April 29.
Craft kits for the Maracas & Poncho activity can be picked up during Sidewalk Service hours the week of Día while supplies last. The videos will be available to view on the Goleta Valley Library Facebook page and Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library YouTube Channel.
Viewers who give the videos a “like” will be entered for a chance to win one of three prize bags containing book bundles of bilingual children’s books from local publisher and community partner Seven Seas Press and hand-painted ceramics from Mexico. Prize drawings will be held Saturday, May 1, to conclude the week’s celebration.
At Solvang Library, local residents can tune in for lively online programs; a Piñata Craft tutorial, available now on the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries YouTube channel; and Día de los Niños Fiesta, 3 p.m. Friday April 30. Register here for the fiesta to receive a free book and party bag. The fiesta link will be sent when you register.
At Buellton Library, children and families can participate in an online Maracas Craft, 1 p.m., April 28. The live craft demonstration will be available to watch through the Buellton Library Facebook page. Pick up craft supplies at the Buellton Library during Sidewalk Service hours the week of Día while supplies last.
Reserve a craft kit for kids by registering for the program here, emailing Buellton Library at buelltonlibrary@cityofgoleta.org, or calling the Buellton Library, 805-688-3115.
This project and the book distributions at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the state librarian.
The book distribution at Goleta Valley Library is also made possible by support from the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library.
