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Pleasant Hill library touts 10th‑anniversary Tinkers & Thinkers fair, offers early‑learning kits
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Summary
At a Pleasant Hill City Education Commission meeting, the library’s senior manager previewed the April 18 Tinkers and Thinkers Innovation Fair, announced partnerships and exhibits, and described a kindergarten-countdown program distributing 500 free early‑learning kits to local families.
Patrick Reamer, senior community library manager for the Pleasant Hill Library, used the education commission’s public‑comment time to preview the library’s 10th‑anniversary Tinkers and Thinkers Innovation Fair and to outline new literacy supports. "It's our tenth anniversary STEM extravaganza in the park," Reamer said, describing robots, rockets, a 1,500‑gallon mobile aquarium and exhibits that the city has "locked in" from organizations such as the Exploratorium and Lawrence Hall of Science. He said the event is set for April 18 from 12 to 3 p.m. at Pleasant Hope Park.
Why it matters: The library’s programs tie civic organizations, schools and volunteers to hands‑on STEM exposure and early‑literacy initiatives that commissioners identified as community priorities. Reamer noted that many local school libraries struggle with little or no collection budget and described the library’s efforts to supplement those collections.
Reamer announced two specific efforts to support local learners: (1) partnerships and exhibits for the April fair to showcase student projects from local robotics clubs and elementary classes, and (2) a kindergarten‑countdown program that will distribute 500 free early‑learning kits at the Pleasant Hill Library and other area branches. "We just made 500 kits, and they will go fast," he said. The kits include hands‑on activities designed to introduce young children to early literacy and learning skills.
Reamer encouraged teachers, parents and community groups to register booths and to bring informal projects; he also said the library recently partnered on a film screening about dyslexia and literacy supports. Liz Harrison, the commission’s new staff liaison, and the commission thanked Reamer and offered to schedule an official presentation at a future meeting to discuss the library’s programs in more detail.
Next steps: Reamer will present again at the April 20 city council meeting during National Library Week, and commissioners signaled interest in following up with a formal agenda presentation to discuss ways the commission can support school‑library collections and event outreach.
