After two full years of limited in-person programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it gives us great pleasure to once again be publishing a quarterly program guide— and to introduce our 27th Annual Summer Reading Club, Journey Through Genres, sponsored by The Brian and Patricia A. Herman Fund and open to all ages. Weekly programs will focus on a different genre or group of genres (look for some interesting facts right here in this guide). Join in the fun with crafts, games, and more from 11 am to 1 pm nearly every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through the end of July. Special teen programs are also set to also take place throughout the summer (see page 24).

All participants in the Summer Reading Club can earn great rewards and will have the opportunity to win some incredible raffle prizes. Participating in summer reading programs is a proven way to increase reading skills and prevent the “summer slide,” which can occur for students on break. We hope you’ll join us this year for what is sure to be an exciting “Journey Through Genres!”

Valentine Kephart

Valentine is the Children’s Librarian for Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. She has been with the library for eight years. She graduated in 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Library Information Science from San Jose State University. She loves to spread the joy of reading to all patrons and especially loves to “Shake her Sillies Out” during storytime. Valentine has always loved reading. When she was a child, reading helped her learn how to speak English after her family moved here from France. She got her start in libraries at the age of nine by volunteering at the original Rancho Mirage Library when it was located on the corner of Bob Hope Dr. and Hwy 111. She lives in Rancho Mirage with her husband, Brian, and dog, Bogey. When she is not at the Library, she loves reading, doing DIY projects with her husband, spending time with family, and being an aunt to her two nieces, Evelyn and Esmé.

Click here to View the More Information About Rancho Mirage Writers Festival - The program book is here