Focus on the Shafter Library & Learning Center

Information for this feature is provided by the Shafter Library & Learning Center's newsletter, edited by Bob Wolf. Additional photos by Samantha Saldaña, Elsa Solorio and Rebecca Bernal.

Art students create fun character snow globes

By Nancy Becerra

Students in my art class worked on different mediums throughout the semester, like painting, oil and chalk pastels, drawing and sculpting. As they reached the end of the semester, they started to create more sculptures, including the snow globe project.

Students created two-inch Christmas sculptures out of polymer clay. On Monday, they made and baked their sculptures. On Wednesday, the Christmas sculptures were glued and arranged in a one-on-one meeting with me. Students then added their water, while I sprinkled in their choice of glitter. Once the globe was sealed, we wrapped it with a sparkly red bow for the perfect finishing touch.

This was one of the students' favorite holiday art projects!

Twinkle, the Elf on the Shelf, returns to SLLC

Rebecca Bernal and the Learning Center staff entertained children of all ages with the return of Twinkle, the Elf on the Shelf. They came up with different themes and locations for Twinkle every day. This was just one of many ways they fostered the Christmas spirit at the SLLC.

SLLC website update offers more info, photos

The SLLC website has been redesigned to provide more information in a user-friendly format. It also features many more photos that capture all the classes, events, and activities at the SLLC.

The About Us page features a history of the library and learning center, with photos taken over the years.

Services connects patrons to the library's account, class listings, printing services and free on-site Chromebook use, Little Free Library locations in Shafter, and Bakersfield College services and classes offered at the SLLC.

Events takes users to the calendar of upcoming events. [BEGIN ITAL]Scoutmobile[END ITAL] provides updates on the library's bookmobile schedule and activities. Friends Newsletter connects users to the archives of this newsletter.

Check it out at shafterlearning.com.

Students in Cooking class make albondigas soup

By Joel Perez

During this week's cooking lesson, students had the opportunity to learn how to make a nice warm Albondigas Soup for this chilly weather. Students were assigned different tasks at the beginning of class. One group was in charge of washing, cleaning, peeling and chopping all the vegetables. Another group was responsible for mixing the meat with its appropriate spices and ingredients and then forming the meatballs. The last group was in charge of boiling the water and adding the initial key ingredients to start the soup before adding all the vegetables and meatballs. They watched over the soup and did taste tests to see if it needed more of any seasoning.

Each group had the opportunity to work with me and learn important steps when it comes to making Albondigas Soup. Students were also reminded of the importance of rolling up their sleeves, putting their long hair in ponytails, and avoiding cross- contamination. I also emphasized the importance of having a clean station and washing their dishes when they were done.

Overall, the students learned a lot of valuable lessons when it comes to preparing food. When the Albondigas was ready, the reward for their work was a bowl of hot, delicious soup.

Scoutmobile adds colorful design for Christmas

The Scoutmobile team was on hand for Shafter's Christmas tree lighting celebration and community sing on Dec. 9.

The Scoutmobile was freshened up for the month, with Christmas tree lights on the sides and peppermint snowflakes on the front and back. Team leader Samantha Saldaña drove it in the Christmas parade.

The Scoutmobile had a festive month of December, participating in community events such as the Christmas parade on Dec. 6 and the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and community sing on Dec. 9.

At the tree lighting event, the Scoutmobile team gave away literacy kits that were donated by GAF. We also had games and activities for children and their families.

The Scoutmobile will be taking a winter break beginning on Dec.23, but we will resume the regular weekly routes on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Richland Jr. High English classes visit SLLC

By Samantha Saldaña

Fourteen Richland Junior High School 8th grade English classes came on field trips to the library from Dec.16-18. They visited during their English class period and were given a tour of the library. Librarian Sam showed students the manga and YA Fiction sections and other areas of interest to teenagers.

SLLC Community Services Supervisor Rebecca Bernal told the students about the types of courses offered at the Learning Center for their age group and that they could sign up for them in the spring if interested. Many students had turned in their completed library card forms prior to their visit, so when they arrived they were given their library card and were able to check out books that day. Several students left with a stack of checked-out books.

Some students enjoyed time in the Imagination Room when they were done browsing the library. It was a successful and engaging experience for both the students and staff of the library. Librarian Sam is hopeful that this will encourage more visits from junior high readers and increase circulation of the YA Fiction collection.

Bilingual Pre-K classes celebrate graduation

The fall semester has come to an end. I'm beyond proud of how much growth the little ones had. From holding a pencil, to cutting, to writing their name. Some worked faster than others, but all of them showed tremendous effort and dedication at their own pace. As they move on or come back, I know they will be more prepared and productive to face new challenges, which I'm sure they will overcome. - Liz Becerra

New books added to the adult collection

SciFi/Fantasy:

The Courting of Bristol Keats - Mary E. Pearson

Blood Over Bright Haven - M. L. Wang

The City and the Uncertain Wall - Haruki Murakami

Romance and Mystery/Thriller:

The Rule Book - Sarah Adams

Pretend You're Mine - Lucy Score

Impossible Creatures - Katherine Rundell (Middle Grade fantasy)

Penance - Eliza Clark

The Close Up - Pip Drysdale

Havoc - Christopher Bollen

Only If You're Lucky - Stacy Willingham

Incidents Around the House - Josh Malerman

Contemporary Fiction:

Time of the Child - Niall Williams

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water - Angie Cruz

Intermezzo - Sally Rooney

Nonfiction/Memoir/Self-Help:

Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire - Andrew Wilkinson

Master of Me - Keke Palmer

NatGeo 'Slingshot Challenge' coming in February

This course offers an opportunity for you to work directly with National Geographic Explorers to become storytellers and changemakers in your community.

Participants will:

--Indentify an issue of environmental concern that matters to them.

Propose solution ideas to the Issue(s) they identify.

--Develop a one-minute video submission for the NatGeo Slingshot Challenge individual or in groups of up to six.

--Further Hone science communication skills as part of the video development.

Registration requirements:

--Must be 13-18 years old.

--No prior experience necessary.

This course will take place Feb. 3-7 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. each day at the Shafter Learning Center.

Thank you to our generous donors!

January: Rod & Cheryl Isaac (Lifetime Members), Barbara & Mickey Gladden

February:Rick & Carolyn Penner

March: Kim Enns

June:: Kern Health Systems

September: Belton & Brenda Banks, Ryan & Patti Hiebert, Dustin & Berenice Hooper, Rod & Cheryl Isaac, Don Nikkel & Carol Enns, Pam Penner

October: Luz Bravo, Colleen Diltz, Jay & Carol Kroeker, Jim & Priscilla Neufeld, Rick & Carolyn Penner, Bob & Sharon Wiebe, Virgil & Karen Reimer

November: Mark & Susanne Franz, Kathy Gamboa, Dolly Hei, Diane Waterhouse

December: Jerry & Susan Anderson, David & C'Anna Bergman-Hill, David & Charis Franz, Brian & Marianne Hockett, Kiwanis Club of Shafter, John & Katie Wiebe (and sons Henry and Charlie), Stan & Nancy Wilson

The Friends of Shafter Library received over $20,787 in donations and support in 2023. We are grateful for the contributions of our many members and supporters.

Special thanks to Craig Haley for installing and fixing our Little Free Libraries.

Impact Partners (Lifetime Members): Susan E. Anderson, Ben H. & Gladys Arkelian Foundation, Ruth Gayle Batey, David & C'Anna Bergman-Hill, Christopher Butterfield & Meredith Nikkel, Colours Festival, Alan & Kristen Doud, David & Charis Franz, Mark & Susanne Franz, GAF Materials Corporation, Virginia & Alfred Harrell Foundation, Dolly Hei, Dustin & Berenice Hooper, Kiwanis Club of Shafter Foundation, Brad & Lana Kroeker, Lions Club of Shafter, Don Nikkel & Carol Enns, Paul Nordstrand & Janet McCombs, Jim & Priscilla Neufeld, Art & Donna Penner, Randy & Pam Penner, Richard & Wanda Penner, Cathy Prout, Shafter Rotary Foundation, Frank Russell Inc., Shafter Woman's Club, Target Corp., Billie & Gary Valdez, Diane Waterhouse, Harry & Ethel West Foundation, Bob & Sharon Wiebe, John & Katie Wiebe, Stan & Nancy Wilson