Friends of the Palisades Library Summer Reading Contest Returns

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

The Pacific Palisades Library Association, also known as the Friends of the Palisades Library, recently announced that its Children’s Summer Creative Writing Contest is returning for 2020—and this time, it’s virtual.

Another new feature: The contest is open to all students citywide, meaning anyone who lives or attends school in Los Angeles can participate this year.

“The branch librarians have been collaborating on virtual programs across the city, so at the suggestion of Jessica Levy, our YA librarian here, we decided to broaden the contest,” said Kathy Slattery, board member of the Friends.

This year’s theme is “Surprise Us!”

“The theme can be interpreted in different ways, for example, a story that surprises the reader in some way or a story that has a surprise in it,” according to the Friends of Palisades Library’s website.

There are five categories: first and second grade, third and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade, and high school.

There will be prizes given in each category—this year the library is offering gift certificates to Diesel Bookstore in Brentwood, which can be redeemed online. The first-place winner will receive a $250 gift certificate, second place will receive a $100 gift certificate and third place will be given a $50 gift certificate.

Entries are judged by members of the Friends of the Palisades Library and can be emailed to friends@friendsofthelibrary.org.

The awards ceremony will be held in the fall, either in-person at Palisades Branch Library or on Zoom. The winning stories will be performed by actors at the ceremony.

The library and patio bookstore are currently closed, book donations are also suspended at this time. Gail Kim, the children’s librarian, was unable to comment on when the library would reopen.

Public libraries across LA have coordinated a number of virtual programs and events on Instagram Live, Facebook and YouTube as a way to continue offering programs to the youth. This includes puppet shows, music circles, a how-to series and much more.

For the most up-to-date information, follow the LA Public Library handle across their social media platforms at @lapl and the Palisades Library at @palisadeslapl.