A focus of our strategic plan includes providing a variety of quality, educational programs to our community. Both youth and older adults face challenges in retaining skills vital to their happiness, success and well-being. These programming series share a similar approach of specifically targeting a skill needed by customers of a certain age — a skill for which training may not be easy to find or which may be costly. These programs provide an accessible option and create an expectation that the Library is a partner in improving important and unique skill sets.

Braincamps are week-long immersive programs with educational themes designed to help students avoid the summer brain drain. These programs are either multi-day events or “mini-Braincamps” held over one or two days. Every one of the Library’s forty-one locations hosts a Braincamp in the summer months. Mastermind programs have just begun to be implemented on a large-scale basis. Our Outreach Services Department conducts these programs at senior facilities and senior centers. Several branch locations have begun offering them this summer as well.

Braincamps have been offered for nearly a decade with a recent emphasis on providing these at locations in socioeconomically challenged neighborhoods with low third grade reading scores. With the help of grant funds Braincamp aide positions are added during the summer allowing for a more intense, small group experience with one-on-one interactions. Attendance at Braincamps in 2015 was 2,463. This summer 32 multi-day and 15 one-day Braincamps have been scheduled, covering all locations. Mastermind programming is a newer addition to this series and have focused on topics such as Raspberry Pi, Circuitry and E-Textiles.