Libraries Help Kids Log-Off & Tune-In This Week

By BCN

The San Mateo County Library System is hosting its first "Ditch Your Device Week" beginning today to encourage children to turn off their electronic devices and spend time with their family and friends, a library manager said.

Throughout the week, all 12 San Mateo County Library branches will be hosting events with an emphasis on removing children from the glowing screens of televisions, computers, phones, and other electronic entertainment devices, SMCL Library Services Manager Anna Koch said.

"Ditch Your Device Week" runs from today until May 6 and is part of the national campaign for Screen Free Week, which is presented by the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. The event has been nationwide since 1996, according to its website.

The events range from dance programs to story times to art projects. Among the events is a performance from children's songwriter Randy Kaplan at the Brisbane branch at 250 Visitacion Ave. on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

There is also going to be a session for parents called "Media Technology and Early Childhood Development," which will discuss how to monitor children's amount of time using electronic devices and encourage parents to increase their personal interaction with them, Koch said.

A full list of the events can be found at www.smcl.org.

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[Editor's note: The Belmont Library is located at 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas. For event information, go to http://www.smcl.org/content/belmont. The San Carlos Library is located at 610 Elm St. For event info, go to http://www.smcl.org/content/san-carlos.]

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