Library ready for summer reading program

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Children’s performer Mary Lambert is one of two entertainers taking part in this year’s World Champions Summer Reading Program at the Morinville Community Library. – Submitted Photo

By Stephen Dafoe

Morinville – Students may still have a few more weeks of having the schoolbooks open, but the Morinville Community Library is already making preparations for vacationing students to keep up with their reading over the summer.

This year’s theme is the World Champion Tour Summer Reading Program. “The theme for this year for the program is GO, so we took that word GO and thought we’d take the kids on a trip throughout the world this time – hence, the World Champion Tour,” said Library Manager Isabelle Cramp, adding the name also is based on Champion Petfoods, who are the local sponsors of the summer reading program this year. “By taking part in the program, not only will participants sharpen their reading skills over the summer, they will also learn about different countries, different cities, different cultures. We want to make the program as fun as possible.

Registration for the program began last week and will continue until the program is filled up. The program is open to children aged three to 12 and Cramp said they could accommodate approximately 90 children this year.

One thing that has changed this year is there will be two sessions instead of one, a decision based on feedback the library has received from parents. “We’ve always had one program that ran all summer and some families felt that because they were going on vacation they would miss out,” Cramp said, adding the library has broken the program down into two sessions: July 2 and July 29, both running for three weeks. Families can take part in one of the two sessions or both. Cost of each session is $20 per child, but those taking both sessions will pay $35 for both sessions.

“The children are welcome to come in every day, Monday through Friday. There is a drop in time on their schedule where they can come, play a game, pick some books, and fill out their reading logs,” Cramp explained. “The more reading they do, the more prizes they can get.”

But the reading program isn’t all about reading. In addition to a library full of children and youth titles, the program includes craft sessions and a weekly activity planned with Reading Program coordinators Rory Turner and Kaitlin Erdmann.

Turner said the program is a great opportunity for children to get introduced to what the library has to offer. “It’s more than just books; it’s programing, prizes and fun,” he said.

In addition to books, games and crafts, the program will see two entertainers performing at the library this year, one in July and another in August. This year’s entertainers are author and children’s performer Professor Clickity Klunk appearing July 3 at 10 a.m. and children’s entertainer Mary Lambert performing Aug. 15 at 10:30 a.m.. Admission to both performances is free for those enrolled in the summer reading program, $2 per child for those not enrolled.

For more information on the World Champions summer Reading Program contact the Morinville Community Library at 780-939-3292.

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