Reading Program Celebrates Summer

The warm weather is finally here and so is the public libraries summer reading program, a great way for Nova Scotian families to pass the time during those hot summer days.

All public libraries in the province are celebrating the TD Summer Reading Club for five to 12 year olds. This year's theme is Splash! Celebrate Summer.

Registration began a few weeks ago, but children are still registering in droves for the club.

"Every summer, kids can improve their reading skills while having fun participating in the reading club at their local library," said Dave Wilson, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

Six-year-old Rachel Hubbard of Dartmouth is a big fan of the club.

"You can read to your parents, they can read to you and you can read all by yourself," Rachel said. "You also get prizes, stickers and a poster with a game on it!"

Many libraries will also offer reading games, discussions, book-related crafts, author visits and story-telling sessions. Some are even including free passes to local museums as reading incentives.

More than 13,000 children and teens participated in the 2010 TD Summer Reading Club hosted by Nova Scotia's public libraries.

Families can contact local library branches to find out more about program registration and other special events. It runs to 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.