CONTACT: Gwenn Lenox
Lafayette Library and Learning Center
(925) 283-6513
director@lafayettelib.com
www.lafayettelib.com
Lafayette Library and Learning Center Hosts Free, Hands-On Children’s Program on Ocean Creatures More than 200 Attend First Children’s Program Hosted by New Lafayette Library and Distinguished Consortium Partner Lawrence Hall of Science
June 28, 2006, Lafayette, CA – Lafayette Library and Learning Center this week hosted the Ocean Creature Features Festival, a free program for children ages 5 through 14 and developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley to help students get excited about science and learn about marine life in all its varied and wondrous forms. The two-day program took place at the current Lafayette Library on Tuesday June 27 for grades K-3 and Wednesday June 28 for grades 4 -8.
“The new Lafayette Library and Learning Center is delivering on its vision as a ‘library of the future’ by offering this innovative program where children will explore the creatures of the sea, in their own community,” said Gwenn Lennox, Director, Lafayette Library and Learning Center. “Our partnership with the Lawrence Hall of Science will provide our community with enhanced science and math programs for children of all ages.”
Ocean Creature Features Festival – Explore the creatures of the sea! Students examine the different adaptations that allow marine animals to live in specific habitats. It's a whale of a fun time!
June 27 (Grades 1-3): These hands-on science activities introduce young students to what ocean creatures need in order to survive. Students see, touch, listen, and smell in order to gain a better understanding of different marine animal characteristics.
June 28 (Grades 4-6): With data sheets in hand, students collect information about different adaptations through engaging activities. As information is collected through hands-on activities, students ultimately design their own marine animal with an understanding of what it needs in order to survive.
The program was made possible by a $1,000 grant the Lafayette Library received from the Clio Institute’s “Better Together Conference: Creating Partnerships for Community Learning.” This is a unique, interactive conference designed to create and enhance community partnerships to increase learning assets for libraries within their communities. Staff from the county library, the Lafayette Library, the city of Lafayette, the Lawrence Hall of Science and the library campaign cabinet attended the conference.
Lawrence Hall of Science is a partner of the Glenn Seaborg Learning Consortium at the new Lafayette Library and Learning Center. This initial program will act as a model for the other eleven Consortium partners, opening up opportunities for the Lafayette community in advance of the library building’s completion.
The Glenn Seaborg Consortium is an innovative collaboration of educational, art and cultural groups. Twelve preeminent Bay Area organizations have come together to offer programs for life-long learning at one single site to serve the entire East Bay community.
The Lafayette Library and Learning Center represents a community-driven effort to build a regional resource and national model for the library of the future. On track for site dedication in Fall 2006 and groundbreaking in early 2007, and with a two-year building schedule, the library will open its doors in 2008. The Lafayette Library and Learning Center will be a civic focal point, a place to stay connected and a place that reflects the community’s commitment to life-long learning.