This summer, the Colusa County Free Library celebrated America’s 250th anniversary with our Read, White & Blue Summer Reading Program, welcoming children and families for weeks of books, learning, creativity, and fun.
Summer reading programs help children maintain the skills they build during the school year. Research consistently shows that children who continue reading over the summer return to school more prepared and confident, while those without regular access to books can lose valuable academic ground. Just as importantly, libraries help foster a lifelong love of reading by making books accessible, enjoyable, and connected to positive family experiences.
Our youngest readers participated in the Little Firecrackers Early Literacy Program, designed for children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Hosted in Williams, Arbuckle, and Colusa, the program became so popular that we added a second session to meet community demand. Through stories, songs, play, and hands-on activities, 46 children built the early literacy skills that prepare them for future success in school. One of the highlights was welcoming back five “regulars,” now entering transitional kindergarten, and hearing about how excited they are for school.
Almost 50 school-age children attended our Summer Reading Camps in Williams, Arbuckle, and Colusa. This year’s patriotic theme brought American history to life through books, science, art, games, and creative projects. Campers explored all 50 states during a library scavenger hunt, designed their own state flags, learned about George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring by creating invisible ink and secret codes, and discovered Benjamin Franklin’s inventions through static electricity experiments and kite-making. Every activity reinforced that learning can be both educational and fun.
The success of Read, White & Blue reflects the enthusiasm of Colusa County families, the dedication of library staff and volunteers, and the continued support of our community partners. We are especially grateful to Jan Brannen and Debbie Hickel, whose assistance with our largest Summer Reading Camp in Colusa helped make the program such a success.
As students head back to school, we encourage families to keep reading together. Whether it’s a favorite bedtime story or a new chapter book, every book read helps build stronger readers, stronger families, and a stronger community.