Video: Dixon Public Library Summer Reading Program Aims to Enrich, Entertain Local Youths

On a sunny Thursday morning Jeremy the Juggler and his zany juggling act charmed roughly 150 Dixon children who came to the for a bit of summertime entertainment.

Jeremy the Juggler - Berkeley resident Jeremy Shafer - is not just an entertainer but also an author. His book "Origami to Astonish and Amuse" is one of the many thousands of books that young readers can choose to read during the library's Summer Reading Program.

The program kicked off on June 6 and ends on Friday, July 22 with a party at the library for everyone who completed the program.

"Basically, kids read books and get prizes," said Katrina Bergen, who is the children's/young adult services librarian. “It’s to encourage children to read during the summer"

Reading during the summer carries many benefits, Bergen said.

"It improves their test scores, vocabulary," Bergen said, adding that many children forget what they learned during the summer and that reading will help keep them when schools gets back in session.

Children ages 5-12 signed up for the Summer Reading Program must read at least 20 books or 2,000 pages Bergen said. Each week, the readers visit the library and if they are meeting their goals, receive prizes.

As part of the program, the library invites entertainers and hosts arts-and-crafts events to liven things up. Each Thursday during the program acts such as Jeremy the Juggler come to Dixon to entertain local youths.

The entertainment and crafts serve to get children to the library for a bit of fun, and perhaps pick out a book to read afterwards. Using the multicultural theme of One World, Many Stories, the library so far has hosted Caddwynn the Magician, Henna Tattoos and will host a Chinese lantern event on July 14, at 10:30 a.m.

Under the summer reading program, the library has partnered with a library in Ontario and the children send postcards to one another decorated with photos and pictures of Dixon and vice versa.

Teens are not left out of activities at the Dixon Library. The library partners with the and hosts an International Film Festival that features Japanese, Chinese, Mexican and English movies.

The teens also have book discussions and play video games such as Rock Band.

For more information about the programs at the library for children, contact Bergen at (707) 693 2747

The video attached to this story contains footage shot from Jeremy the Juggler's performance. Click on the video to get it to play.

Visit Jeremy the Juggler's web site for more information.