Community: Sandy and Hoodland Library
By Justin Andress, The Mountain Times
The Hoodland area should count itself lucky. Where many communities struggle to support their local library, Mt. Hood residents have not one but two active libraries that work in conjunction to represent their needs and interests. Take, for example, the robust selection of events for kids and teens coming up this spring and summer.
Before you know it, school will be out for the year, and Sandy and the Mountain will suddenly be flooded with youngsters looking for something to do. Fear not! Rather than have these kids languish in boredom, the Sandy and Hoodland Libraries are working together to ensure that there are plenty of fun ways to enjoy summer fun at the local library.
Between the two of them, Children’s Librarian Monica Smith and Teen Librarian Kristofer Ritchie have planned several fun and educational activities designed to keep kids entertained and informed. Whether your kid wants to get out and run around or read a book in a nice, cozy spot, there’s something at the local library to pique their interest.
Throughout July, Smith has arranged speakers from The Oregon Aquarium and the Museum Of Natural And Cultural History. “I love to provide fun programs that also engage the kids with STEM activities so that they have fun learning over the summer,” she says.
Though relatively new to the Hoodland and Sandy libraries, Ritchie’s enthusiasm is undeniable when talking about the good library programming provides for the community. “Aside from providing a recourse from the summer heat, these programs provide a chance for social interaction and discovery of new ideas or topics – these programs show that we are here to provide fun, engaging activities year-round.”
Like Smith, Ritchie aims to get teenagers to think critically. In line with the library’s summer reading theme — Level up at Your Library — Ritchie has prepared several exciting activities for older kids. There will be Escape Room programs, VR games, and tabletop games. Each program is designed to get kids thinking about the world around them using means to which they can relate.
Of course, a summer spent entirely indoors is a summer not lived to its full potential. As such, Smith has organized several events that will take place at one of the area’s gorgeous local parks. There’s Jugglemania on July 2 and a Quidditch match on July 31. Both events are a scant selection of the programs designed to get kids outdoors, communicate, and engage their imagination.
The library is also providing incentives to keep kids and adults reading all summer long. The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all ages (including adults). According to Smith, there are “prizes for people who finish the challenge and chances to win our prize drawing. For kids and teens, we are giving away [an iPad mini with an Apple Pencil], for adults $100 cash, and for Little Readers a goodie bag full of early literacy toys.”
A portion of the proceeds for these activities was generated by what Smith and Ritchie describe as a very supportive Friends of the Library group. Their ongoing support is critical. As Ritchie explains, “Libraries need the support of their community now more than ever! We may lose access to vital resources used daily by our community, and the only way to ensure that they stay is if every voice is heard!”
Want to help out or learn more? Visit the City of Sandy website (www.ci.sandy.or.us) and click “Library” under the “Government” tab at the top of the screen. From there, you can check out the calendar to see what events are on the horizon, or you can contact the library directly to thank them for their hard work.
We’ll see you this summer around the reading room!