By Elijah Qualls
AFRO Intern
As the heat and humidity begin to soar, kids are getting antsy and in desperate need of entertainment. The District of Columbia Public Library understands that, which is why it has constructed a busy schedule of varied activities for children of different ages, calling it “Discover Summer: Adventure Begins at Your Library!”
The complete schedule of events from now until Aug. 31 can be found on the Library’s website, but here are a few events and activities to be on the lookout for:
First is summer bingo. The program began on June 1, but does not end until the end of August. Interested parties can register online or pick up their Discover Summer Bingo Board at their nearest neighborhood library. From there, participants will complete various activities that range from bringing a friend to the library, reading for 20 minutes, or visiting a museum or public garden. Upon completing each activity, the participant will provide proof of completion (requirements vary between different activities), and after that, they can earn prizes that can be picked up at the nearest library.
Beyond bingo, there are other events that will only happen once or twice and other events that will happen regularly throughout the summer.
Upcoming events
Library Day at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on July 6 and July 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the “first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts,” according to the museum’s website. This museum features artists such as the Guerrilla Girls and speaks to the gender imbalance of the notoriously male-dominated field of art.
Explore the West African Yoruba Tradition on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library. The event will include live batá drumming, question-and-answer opportunities with Yoruba culture practitioners, and songs and dances dedicated to Oshun, who is an Orisha (deity) of love and fertility in Yoruba culture.
Recurring events
Throughout the next two months, the Shaw Neighborhood Library will be hosting virtual reality game times. This will allow kids aged 5-12 and 13-19 to avoid the summer heat through technological experimentation, but it will also give them opportunities to socialize and meet like-minded friends.
There will be various LEGO socials at Takoma Park Neighborhood Library for infants up to 12 year-olds or Read and Create LEGO edition at West End Neighborhood Library. There will also be more reading-oriented activities such as Read and Craft or Books and Boxing (for all ages).
More Information
The Washington, D.C. public libraries have created an extensive schedule of activities for infants, children, teens, adults, and even seniors. More information can be found on their website. It is important to note that certain events have limited spots, so it is best to register as soon as possible.