The Oceanside Library turned an ordinary Tuesday into a playful, all-ages adventure on Jan. 13, hosting its first-ever National Rubber Duck Day scavenger hunt — an all-day event designed to draw families into the library and showcase its role as a community hub.
36 rubber ducks — each with different designs — were hidden throughout the building on all three floors. Participants were given colorful scavenger hunt sheets and challenged to locate at least 25 ducks to qualify for a prize raffle held at the end of the day.
The hunt coincided with National Rubber Duck Day, officially observed Jan. 13, and inspired by a 1970s episode of “Sesame Street” featuring Ernie’s beloved rubber duck. Technology librarian Carlo Mastrandrea, an Oceanside resident who organized the event, said the idea grew organically from a love of whimsical programming and a desire to reuse materials from past activities.
“It started as something fun,” Mastrandrea said. “But it also became about helping younger children with character recognition — letters, numbers, symbols — while giving families a reason to explore the entire library.”
Ducks were intentionally placed both high and low, some camouflaged against backgrounds, to make the hunt challenging. Children searched for ducks shaped like pigs, dragons or surfers, checking off each find on their sheets. Librarians offered hints when needed, often delighting in the excitement on children’s faces when a hidden duck was finally spotted.
Prizes were tailored to different age groups. Children competed for a giant rubber duck while teens had a chance to win a light-up LED duck. The first 100 children to complete their sheets received a small rubber duck to keep, while adults earned commemorative stickers.
The event ran from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., drawing a steady stream of families before and after school hours. Organizers said turnout and enthusiasm could pave the way for making the scavenger hunt an annual tradition.
“I want people to see that the library is more than books,” Mastrandrea said. “It’s programs, creativity and experiences. There’s something fun for everyone, any day of the week.”
