Year: 2018

The Journey of 1000 Books Starts at Douglas County Libraries

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release: January 9, 2018

Douglas County Libraries is excited to launch its 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, a literacy initiative that encourages reading to newborns, infants and toddlers, and helps establish strong literacy skills and reading confidence from a young age.

“We’re so excited to offer this program because it supports and extends the library’s early literacy efforts beyond Storytime and the library walls,” says Douglas County Libraries Youth Literacy Specialist Laura Olson. “We also hope that the program instills a lifelong love of reading in young children,” she adds.

Research shows that the more books children hear before kindergarten, the more prepared they will be to learn how to read. “This is a fun, self-paced way to encourage families to read aloud at home, and it reinforces to parents that they are their kids’ first and best teachers,” Olson says.

Douglas County Libraries makes it easy to start the 1000 Books journey and to track each book read along the way. Every book counts toward the reading goal, including books that are read multiple times (each reading counts) and books read out loud at Douglas County Libraries Storytimes. Reading just one book at bedtime every night for three years is 1,095 books, so it really is possible to read 1,000 books before kindergarten!

Parents can learn more about 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and sign up for the challenge at DCL.org/1000-books. For more information, call 303-791-7323.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

Think Spring Break: Send the Kids to Camp DCL

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release: January 8, 2018

Douglas County Libraries is pleased to announce its 2018 offering of Camp DCL spring break camps for kids ages 6-12. Registration is now open for the weeklong, half-day camps running Monday, March 19-Friday, March 23.

Camp DCL provides unique learning experiences and hands-on fun for kids, giving them the chance to discover what they want to be. This year’s spring break camp themes are Be a Builder and Be a STEAM-y Chef.

  • Be a Builder – Kids will tackle design-and-build projects both large and small, including collapsible cardboard forts, wood birdhouses, and brick and mortar experiments. Camps are available at the library’s Castle Pines, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch locations.
  • Be a STEAM-y Chef – Kids will cook up two recipes each day, learning science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) concepts like the science of taste and genetic modification. Camps are available at the library’s Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough locations.

The 2018 camp themes may sound familiar to former Camp DCL campers, but Kerri Morgan, Douglas County Libraries department head special events, says this year’s camps will offer brand-new experiences, so any returning campers can expect something different.

Camps are priced at $155-$165 for the week, based on the theme, and limited scholarships may be available from the Douglas County Libraries Foundation for qualified applicants.

To learn more about Camp DCL spring break camps and/or scholarship opportunities, visit DCL.org/camp-dcl or call 303-791-7323.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

Playful Pets Playscape Makes a Delightful Debut at Library

Posted on by melissa

For immediate release: December 26, 2017

Douglas County Libraries in Lone Tree, 10055 Library Way, is excited to introduce its new Playful Pets Animal Clinic and Animal Grooming playscape, a fun, interactive space for children that inspires imaginative play and self-guided learning.

Playful Pets is a museum-quality installation near the children’s area where kids can discover and act out various aspects of veterinary-style pet care using provided tools, devices, and their imaginations. In the Animal Clinic, kid vets can don lab coats and examine stuffed animal patients using play veterinary devices and equipment. They can also groom the stuffed animals in the Animal Grooming spa using provided brushes, combs and other tools.

“Moms and caregivers have been asking for a play area like this at Lone Tree since we opened in July 2016,” says Lone Tree Branch Manager Susan Byrne. “They loved The Market at our Highlands Ranch branch and felt we should have something similar here. We’re thrilled to finally be able to offer Playful Pets.”

Studies show that children develop important social and emotional skills through interactive play. Playful Pets Animal Clinic and Animal Grooming provide the library’s youngest patrons with innovative, playful spaces where they can interact with each other and library materials as they play and learn.

“The kids are having a blast with our new Playful Pets playscape,” says Byrne. “They’re super busy checking out the X-ray machine and grooming the stuffed cats and dogs. The best part is, they’re learning while they’re playing,” she adds.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. For more information, call (303) 791-7323 or visit DCL.org.