Library Lines: Free Comic Book Days in May at Contra Costa branches
The Contra Costa County Library system is celebrating Free Comic Book Days from May 8 through May 13. Visit your local library to enjoy free comics and take-home activities and to find out who won the bookmark contest.
In-person events will include a “superhero training academy” and scavenger hunt. You can enjoy the fun from home as well by attending virtual events including a panel called “Women in Animation: A Conversation with Pixar” and an author chat with Victoria Jamieson, the author of “Roller Girl” and “When Stars are Scattered.” Visit ccclib.org in May to get all the details.
Also next month: May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and the county libraries are celebrating both. Staff have compiled book lists to help you find great reads featuring AAPI stories and voices. Programs scheduled as part of the celebration include a meditative tea tasting, movie night and a treasure hunt. Visit the library system’s webstie above next month to read a staff blog about mental health in the AAPI community and find resources that can help.
After-school meals: The El Sobrante Library is serving after-school meals twice a week. The meals are provided in partnership with the West Contra Costa Unified School District as part of an effort to offset food insecurity and childhood obesity by serving healthy food to kids. The meals are available from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays for children and teens 18 or younger.
Literacy tutors: Project Second Chance, the library system’s adult literacy program, is looking for volunteer tutors. No teaching experience is necessary. You must be comfortable with your own English reading, writing and spelling, able to commit to about four hours a week and be interested in helping a neighbor improve his or her reading skills.
Training is provided, and the next three-class session will be from 6 to 8 p.m May 2. Interested volunteers should complete a prospective tutor orientation form at ccclib.org/psc.
Library calendar
Cinco de Mayo Fun with Mariachi San Francisco: 6 p.m. May 2 at the Pleasant Hill Library. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with music, dancing and fun.
Paying for College with Scholarships Series: 6:30 p.m. May 2 on Zoom. Hear important information about college scholarships including that they exist for everyone, regardless of academic merit or personal background. Learn more about how to identify, apply for and manage scholarships. This is the first of three sessions.
Star Wars Day Endor Coasters Craft: 4 p.m. May 4 at the San Ramon Library. “May the fourth” (“be with you”) is Star Wars Day. Padawans (tweens and teens) are invited to decorate Endor Forest coasters, inspired by the 1983 film “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” All materials will be provided.
Oaktown Jazz Workshops: 11 a.m. May 6 at the Hercules Library. Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Performance Ensemble features young musicians ages 12 to 18 who perform a variety of exciting and challenging jazz classics.
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about library services and programming or account information, contact us via email at ask@library.cccounty.us, on chat at tinyurl.com/cccl-chat or text questions to 925-290-7627.
Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.