The Sacramento Public Library invites everyone to Dream Big READ!, by participating in the library’s 2012 Summer Reading program. The Dream Big READ! theme will be incorporated into more than 500 entertaining and educational programs for pre-readers, school-age kids, teens, adults, and families. The free programs will range from story times to crafts, music, dance, book clubs and other activities at all 28 Sacramento Public Library locations (visit saclibrary.org and click on Events for a complete listing). “While Dream Big READ! makes reading fun for everyone, parents and teachers especially appreciate that children’s participation in Summer Reading programs can prevent a decline in read

The Sacramento Public Library will present the basic genealogy class, Using Records to Tell Your Ancestors’ Stories, on Saturday, July 7 at 1 p.m. at the Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento. Genealogy expert Karen Burney will discuss how to extract family history information from birth, census, marriage, death, and other records. Registration is requested by calling the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visiting www.saclibrary.org. The genealogy workshop is sponsored by the Friends of Central Library. # # #  

The Sacramento Public Library says it’s time to plant your garden. Gardening expert James Bridges will teach how to grow delicious organic vegetables, from planting through harvesting, at a free class on Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the Arcade branch, 2443 Marconi Avenue, Sacramento. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Arcade Library. For more information, please telephone the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org. # # #  

The Sacramento Public Library will host a series of free workshops to promote healthier living for those affected by chronic disease. The programs are Fridays, April 27 through June 1 at 2 p.m. at the Belle Cooledge branch, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. A Dignity Health representative will provide health tips, including practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue and stress; better nutrition and exercise choices; how to make informed treatment decisions; better ways to talk with your doctor and family about your health; and how to get the support you need. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required by telephoning Dignity Health at (916) 851-2793.  

Good composition can improve any photo. The Sacramento Public Library will present a free photography composition class on Tuesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. at its Belle Cooledge branch, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento. Photography instructor Ron Nabity will discuss several simple compositional guidelines to make photos stand out. He will teach techniques that are simple to learn, easy to apply and will work with any camera. Nabity will cover nine compositional guidelines and look at several examples of these techniques applied to photography. For more information, please telephone the Sacramento Public Library at (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org.