Agent 009 Arrives at Public Libraries Just in Time for Summer

Amateur sleuths and novice detectives will crowd local libraries this summer to participate in crafts, games and other fun activities as the TD Summer Reading Clubs kicks off across Nova Scotia.

This year's theme, Agent 009 - Super Sleuth, encourages children age five to 12 to discover whodunits and unravel mysteries by reading novels, picture books and non-fiction titles over summer vacation.

"Reading over the summer months, even if it's as few as four or five books, increases a child's literacy skills," said provincial librarian Jennifer Evans. "The goal of the Summer Reading Club is to get children actively reading and to curb the achievement decline that tends to occur over the break."

Many libraries will also offer reading games, discussions, book-related crafts, author visits and story-telling sessions.

Each reading club participant will receive a colourful poster, stickers and an activity book as a part of their free reading kit.

Last year, nearly 12,000 children participated in summer reading clubs hosted by Nova Scotia's public libraries.

Families can contact local library branches to find out more about kick-off celebrations, program registration and other 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 2008, almost 270,000 children across Canada participated in TD Summer Reading Club related activities.