Full Notification

Children in the Chula Vista Public Library’s Summer Reading Program can walk on the “wild” side and go “mad” with science. With the S.T.E.A.M.-related theme, “Reading By Design,” programs and events are incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. The three library branches, Civic Center, South Chula Vista and Otay Ranch, will host local organizations, Wild Wonders and Mad Science, during the last two weeks of June. The events are free of charge and open to the public.

Mad Science of San Diego will deliver hands-on entertaining and educational science experiences for children at the Otay Ranch Library, Tuesday, June 20, at 4 p.m.; the South Chula Vista Library, Wednesday, June 21, at 11:15 a.m.; and the Civic Center Library, Thursday, June 22, at 6 p.m. Wild Wonders, Inc., will present a live interactive program, where wildlife educators bring wild animals to the South Chula Vista Branch Library, on Wednesday, June 28, at 11:15 a.m.

Mad Science is a science enrichment provider that teaches children about science through fun, hands-on experiments. It encourages scientific literacy and invites children to pursue S.T.E.A.M. careers. Programs are presented in hundreds of local schools and libraries. Wild Wonders is a licensed wildlife education organization in which degreed professionals bring exotic animals to the libraries in order to foster a desire to preserve and learn about wildlife and the important role it plays. None of its animals was taken from the wild; all were confiscated or owner-released illegal pets or came from other educational facilities. Its animals have appeared on The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and many television programs.

The Summer Reading Program continues through Saturday, July 15, with numerous programs and events for all ages. Children, teens and adults can sign up online at www.chulavistalibrary.com or in person at any of the three library branches. Participants can win prizes for reading for various lengths of time.

In addition, the Civic Center and South Chula Vista Branches are serving free lunches for children ages 1-18, weekdays from 12 to 1 p.m., and snacks from 3 to 3:30 p.m., through the month of June. The summer lunch program is sponsored by the U.S Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Chula Vista Elementary School District.

A Calendar of Events is available in each library and online at www.chulavistalibrary.com. For more details on the summer activities, visit or call your nearest library branch: Civic Center Branch, 365 F Street, (619) 691-5069; South Chula Vista Branch, 389 Orange Avenue, (619) 585-5755; or Otay Ranch Branch, Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road, #409, (619) 397-5740.