LOL with Public Libraries This Summer
NOTE: A list of kick-off events follows this release.
Thousands of children in Nova Scotia will visit their local libraries this summer for fun books, crafts, games and activities offered through the Summer Reading Club.
The Summer Reading Club was launched nationally today, June 16, at Alderney Gate Public Library in Dartmouth. All libraries in Nova Scotia are offering the program, which encourages children aged five to 12 to read books over the summer.
"Our children build confidence in their literacy skills when they are active readers over the summer months," said Education Minister Karen Casey. "Families have access to a wide range of programs and collections at their local public library, which will help children practice and maintain their reading skills."
Last year, about 12,000 children across the province took part in summer reading programs, reading more than 130,000 books over the summer months.
This year's participants will have fun exploring the theme Laugh Out Loud. Each participant will receive a colourful poster, stickers and an activity book as a part of their free reading kit. Many libraries will also offer reading games, discussions, book-related crafts, author visits and story-telling sessions.
Families are encouraged to contact local library branches to find out more about program registration and special events. The program will run until the end of August.
The Summer Reading Club is a national initiative organized by TD Bank Financial Group in co-operation with Library and Archives Canada, and is implemented annually through public libraries. In 2007, more than 430,000 children across Canada participated in TD Summer Reading Club related activities.
NOTE: Kick-off parties are taking place at the following library branches:
Tuesday, June 24:
- Mount Uniacke Branch Library, 555 Highway 1, Mount Uniacke, 1 p.m.
- Stewiacke Branch Library, 295 George St., Stewiacke, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 25:
- Springhill Branch Library, 75 Main St., Springhill, 1 p.m.
- Halifax North Memorial Public Library, 2285 Gottingen St., Halifax, 1:30 p.m.
- Advocate Harbour Branch Library, Fundy Tides Recreation Centre, 93 Mills Rd., Advocate, 2 p.m.
- J.D. Shatford Memorial Public Library, 10353 St. Margaret's Bay Rd., Hubbards, 3:30 p.m.
- Berwick Branch Library, 236 Commercial St., Berwick, 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 26:
- Bedford Public Library, Wardour Centre, 15 Dartmouth Rd., Bedford, 10 a.m.
- Four Fathers Memorial Library, 21 Acadia St., Amherst, 10 a.m.
- River Hebert Miners Memorial Branch Library, 2730 Barronsfield Rd., River Hebert, 10:30 a.m.
- Parrsboro Branch Library, 10 Queen St., Parrsboro, 1 p.m.
- Captain William Spry Public Library, Captain William Spry Community Centre, 10 Kidston Rd., Halifax, 2 p.m.
- Elmsdale Branch Library, 15 Commerce Ct., Elmsdale, 2 p.m.
- Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library, 5381 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, 2 p.m.
- Sackville Public Library, 636 Sackville Dr., Lower Sackville, 2:15 p.m.
- Alderney Gate Public Library, 60 Alderney Dr., Dartmouth, 2:30 p.m.
- Keshen Goodman Public Library, 330 Lacewood Dr., Halifax, 2:30 p.m.
- Tantallon Public Library, 3646 Hammonds Plains Rd., Upper Tantallon, 2:30 p.m.
- Oxford Branch Library, 22 Water St., Oxford, 3 p.m.
- Cole Harbour Public Library, Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour, 3:30 p.m.
Friday, June 27:
- Woodlawn Public Library, Staples Plaza, 114 Woodlawn Rd., Dartmouth, 2:30 p.m.
- Dartmouth North Public Library, Dartmouth North Community Centre, 134 Pinecrest Dr., Dartmouth, 3:30 p.m.
- Antigonish Library, 182 College St., Antigonish, 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 28:
- Tatamagouche Branch Library, 237 Main St., Tatamagouche
- Truro Branch Library, 754 Prince St., Truro, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, July 1:
- Bridgetown Branch Library, Jubilee Park, 11 a.m.
Friday, July 4:
- Port Hawkesbury Branch Library, Strait Area Education-Recreation Centre, 304 Pitt St., Port Hawkesbury, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, July 8:
- Pugwash Branch Library, 10222 Durham St., Pugwash, 1:30 p.m.