por Sue Hotz

Escape the heat of summer at the San Carlos Branch library. All San Diego libraries are designated cool zones — great to know when you’re without AC.

We’d like to send a huge “thank you” to all who patronized our June 27 used book sale. After our three-month hiatus due to construction, we will have many new selections available at our next sale, scheduled for Aug. 1.

The beginning of the 2015-16 fiscal year for the library and all city services was July 1. San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) has donated $13,500 to the matching program fund for youth and adults, $7,500 to the matching book fund and $2,000 to the matching equipment fund for a total of $23,000. The city matches 100 percent of our contributions to the program and equipment funds and 50 percent of our contributions to the book fund. The SCFOL donation to these funds comes from revenue from our book sales, memberships and donations, so please buy books and join SCFOL to continue to support the library!

Award-winning author Margaret Dilloway has a new novel hot off the press for your summer reading pleasure: “Sisters of Heart and Snow.” Margaret will speak on Friday, July 24, at 2 p.m. in the library’s Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. Raised in San Carlos, this Patrick Henry High School graduate has returned here to raise her family. Two previous novels by Margaret are “How to Be an American Housewife” and “The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns.” Margaret, the daughter of a Japanese mother and an American father, incorporates into her novels the generational struggles of a multi-cultural family. In her latest novel, two estranged sisters are driven back together when their dementia-afflicted, Japanese mail order bride mother sends her daughters on a quest to find a book she left for them about the legendary 12th-century female samurai Tomoe Gozen. Come hear Margaret speak about her personal samurai connection; ask if her husband has yet to surprise her with a trip to Paris.

Lyna Nath’s expressionist oils, watercolors and ink drawings grace the Winer Community Room & Art Gallery through the end of July. From Aug. 4 to Sept. 3, view the gorgeous photography of Cynthia Robertson. Don’t miss her artist reception, where you can discuss her photographic techniques, on Aug. 15 from noon to 2 p.m.

“Read to the Rhythm” is the theme for this year’s summer reading program. It’s not too late to sign up. Register on line at sandiego.gov/public-library/kidsandteens/summerreading/index.shtml to win prizes. Children through age 11 can win prizes for reading 10 books or 10 hours. For ages 12 to 18, read 10 hours, and for adults, read three books.

As part of the summer reading program, SCFOL offers a variety of free family entertainment every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m. through Aug. 12. These programs pre-empt the normal school age story time.

On July 22, join in the fun with body percussionist, jaw harp master and rhythm instructor “Slap Jazz Danny.” On July 29, sing, clap and dance to rhythms from around the world with Nikola Clay. On Aug. 5, Celia Lawley, aka “Fiddlegirl,” gives a varied instrument, high-energy musical show. On Aug. 12, the Scott Land Marionettes round out the summer with contemporary entertainment using handcrafted, Old World-style marionettes.

For children ages three and up, mark your calendar for free summertime crafts on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m., July 23 through Aug. 13.

Story times continue throughout the summer on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., Fridays at 10 p.m. and every second Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

For children ages 7 and up, we’ll offer a self-defense class taught by Mario Mayorga on Aug. 20 at 10:30 a.m.

Adults can join us for the librarian’s book club meeting on Aug. 13 at 12:30 p.m., where we’ll discuss “Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrielle Zevin.

We also have an upcoming OASIS program for adults on Aug. 21 from 1 to 3 p.m.; Mark Carlson will discuss “In Defense of the Book.”

We offer many “just for fun” activities, including Monday craft circle, exercise, self-defense and informational classes. Details are on the website and library calendar. Go to sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.com.

Come September, we will have new offerings, so let Rita Glick know what interests you.

—Sue Hotz is publicity chair on the board of the San Carlos Friends of the Library.