SANTA MONICA—The City of Santa Monica will celebrate the grand opening of the new Pico Branch Library on 2201 Pico Blvd. on Saturday, June 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Ready, Set, Read!” is the theme for the event that will honor the importance of reading and literacy.

Mayor Pam O’Connor will open the ceremony with a drum call that will be followed by a processional walk to the entrance of the new branch where a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. The Pico Branch Library was designed by Koning Eizenberg Architecture of SM and opened in late April, which is a state of the art facility. Tours of the branch will be offered every 30 minutes.

Canyon News spoke with Susan Annett, Principal Librarian, Public and Branch Services via email about the opening of the Pico Branch Library.

“As pointed out on the American Library Association, the benefits to readers in a summer reading program include: encouragement that reading become a lifelong habit; reluctant readers can be drawn in by the activities; reading over the summer helps children keep their skills up; the program can generate interest in the library and books; and it’s just plain fun.

Santa Monica Public Library’s Summer Reading Program 2013 achieved some major milestones: more than 4,000 young peoples signed up, with 800 teens participating and more than 1,000 kids ages 2-6 active in the Read-to-Me Club,” said Annett.

In The Annex, visitors will be able to participate in a teen photography exhibit that documents “my community.” Author and poet Carol Muske-Dukes will ask teens to develop words and phrases inspired by their photographic images. At 2:30 p.m., reference librarians will assist with showcasing how the SMPL new interactive, local history website, SHARE Santa Monica, which allows the neighbors and neighborhoods to share stories through images and other information.

Annett indicated to Canyon News that Carol Muske-Dukes will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the value of reading, literature and libraries. “We also have an Adult Summer Reading program and will be signing people up for that,” added Annett. The lineup for the related program can be found at:http://smpl.org/ASR2014.aspx.

 

Other festivities include festival booths that highlight Summer Reading Program signups, children craft workshops and activities, give-aways thanks to Friends of SMPL and Buy Local Santa Monica, refreshments, and a Farmers Market grilled peaches demonstration and much more. Participants are encouraged to bring picnic baskets to the event.

 

Since parking will be limited, walking, biking or taking the Big Blue Bus line 7 to the Grand Opening is recommended. Free bike valet to the event is available. The Pico Branch is wheelchair accessible. For assistance with accessibility accommodations, call (310) 458-8606 at least one week in advance.

 

More than 1,000 people are expected at the event. Annett informed Canyon News that this is the first new library location in Santa Monica in over 54 years.  The Grand Opening is presented by the SMPL and the City of Santa Monica’s Community and Cultural Services Department and Economic Development Division.