On a recent morning at the Homer Public Library, before the building officially opened for the day, kids with bright smiles ran from the parking lot to the front door. These aspiring programmers were on their way to the third day of the library’s free, four-day Coding Camp led by Tauseef, a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center in Pittsburgh, PA. With huge grins the kids, ages nine to eleven, made their way to the library’s meeting room where they spent the morning learning the fundamentals of computer science. (A group of teens also spent four afternoons programming.) Using JavaScript, a common programming language used for games, apps and websites, the kids drew, colored, and animated circles. While it sounds basic, they were actually using advanced math, reading, writing, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills to design the beginnings of the familiar game known as Pong. Each unique game design included more than 100 lines of code which the kids created, edited, and rewrote themselves.

The idea for the Coding Camp, one of many free Summer@HPL 2017 programs and events, grew out of three years of after-school and summer ‘maker’ programs, including multiple introductory Hour of Code events. We are always looking for fun, high- and low-tech opportunities to help kids apply their academic interests and foster their love of learning, whether it’s part of programs like Coding Camp or the more traditional Storytime. In fact, many, if not all, of the aspiring programmers began their relationship with the library as toddlers and preschoolers. We look forward to seeing what’s next for these kids and teens!

Visiting mentors and experts, access to high- and low-tech tools, and a supportive community help Homer’s youth discover what’s possible and expand what they know. The Coding Camp was made possible with contributions from the Ashley J. Logan Fund and the Willow Fund at the Homer Foundation and Friends of the Homer Public Library, the annual sponsor of Summer@HPL. Thank you! The community’s ongoing support of Homer’s kids and the Homer Public Library is remarkable.

Sincerely,

Claudia Haines

Youth Services Librarian

Homer Public Library

The R.E.C. Room would like to publicly thank the many supporters who help with resources and food for our local youth. We’d like to do a shout out to Karen Weston for supplying snacks, weekly hot foods and cereals and end of the year BBQ food, Jan O’Meara and Rotary Club of Homer Downtown for keeping the fresh fruit, cab vouchers and books supplied, Friends of the Homer Public Library for lending library, the Homer Food Pantry for snacks and meals for the youth in our community. And of course- thank you to the Bagel Shop for supplying us with our very own panini press. Not only can we provide these resources for teens to feed themselves on a daily basis and receive entertainment and hobbies, these donations have opened up teaching moments through food preparation, cleaning and healthy living. Many of Homer’s finest youth have expressed their gratitude by pitching in without prompting as well as verbally expressed their thanks for the food especially. The resources the R.E.C. Room provides for the youth in our community would not be possible without the local support. We feel thankful for the enormous amount of encouragement we have received from those mentioned here and those who are silent donors. The R.E.C. Room will continue to be open all summer for local teens who might need resources or just a safe and fun place to hang out. Check in with R.E.C. Room Facebook page for any updates and hours.

Kindly,

Cody Davidson

R.E.C. Room Coordinator

Donation made magic happen

The Independent Living Center TRAILS Program would like to thank Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware for their donation toward a scholarship for a participant to join a weekend of horseback riding at Horseman’s Adventure in Cooper Landing. I wish I could express the value of this experience for the scholarship recipient. Please know that your business made magic happen.

Gratefully,

Tela Bacher

TRAILS coordinator and education specialist

Gift promotes reading

Dear Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary:

Thank you so much for the generous grant for $500.With this funding Homer Public Library will be able to continue to offer Tumble Books — an online collection of more than 1,000 books that is accessible to our children year round. Thank you for promoting reading in our community.

Lisa Whip

Educator and supporter of our

Homer Community of Literacy

Ann Dixon

Homer Public Library Director