Desert animals visit the Library Published June 27, 2014 By Rebecca Amber Staff writer EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Base Library brought wildlife indoors June 27 as part of the Summer Reading Program, "Paws to Read." Patti Kumazawa, Environmental Management, marketing and communications professional, spoke to the children about desert animals and safety, encouraging the children not to feed or approach wild animals, especially snakes, if they should see an animal on base. Kumazawa came equipped with preserved displays of a bobcat, coyote and desert tortoise shell. She also brought a live baby tortoise, king snake and gopher snake. After her presentation, she invited the children to touch the inanimate displays and the gopher snake. The summer reading program is an annual Department of Defense-sponsored program aimed at keeping children interested in reading during the months that school is not in session. It combines reading with live demonstrations and events at the library every Friday through Aug. 15.