As summer comes to a close and we look forward to fall, we are excited to see the library come alive as people return to old routines.

We had a successful summer reading program with more than 700 people signing-up to read 10 books or for 10 hours during the summer months. We offered six different programs, alternating venues between the library and the San Carlos Community Garden, which included musicians, dancers, and clowns and attracted more than 300 participants.

In our Battle of the Book Genres, children got to vote on their favorite type of story to read, and adventure stories narrowly beat graphic novels in the final two showdown.

We held our very first chess tournament on July 30 with a total of 68 people in attendance. The event was organized by the San Carlos Chess Club leaders, Peter and Luke Cepurac, and sponsored by local Elks Lodge #168. We greatly appreciate the Elks Lodge for providing prizes for the winners and other goodies for all participants.

The tournament format was seven games played in rapid format and the winners were: Champion – Anthony Mokhov, 12 years old, who scored a perfect record of 7-0. Second Place – Michael Mokhov, 8 years old, who scored a 6-1 record. Third Place – Tvisha Bhardwaj, 10 years old, one of only two girls in the tournament, had a total score of 5-2. Fourth Place – Holden Cheng, 10 years old, garnering a final score of 4-3. The San Carlos Chess Club plans to hold another tournament in the future and we are seeking sponsors.

Do Your Homework @ the Library returns to the San Carlos Branch on Sept. 6. Our homework center is open to all K-8 students and provides free assistance with homework assignments. Tutor learning coordinators are available to guide and support student learning. The center is open on Monday to Thursday from 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Children’s Author, Christina Furnival, will read her picture book, The Not-So-Friendly Friend, on Monday, Sept. 19, from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Children will learn about how to set boundaries for healthy relationships and then do a fun craft related to the book.

The San Diego Archaeological Center will present at the library on Friday, Sept. 16, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Executive Director, Cindy Stankowski, helps us to appreciate the many methods archaeologists use to understand and connect with the past.

On Friday, Sept. 23, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., author, Jessica Johnson, will discuss her book, Abandoned San Diego. Abandoned San Diego is a trip back in time, visiting sites that are in some level of deterioration, but still offer a glimpse into a different period in San Diego’s past. Along the way, we will take a richly illustrated journey to old mines, fading towns, burned out ruins, and pioneer cemeteries, among other fascinating places.

The photographs of Hiroshi Hara will be on display in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery from Sept. 7 to Oct. 1.

– This article was submitted by David Ege, branch manager at San Carlos Branch Library.