Popular summer program expanding; volunteers needed

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

With the expansion of the Summer Reading Program, the Strathmore Municipal Library is anticipating an influx of participants, increasing the need for volunteer involvement and providing room for some newfangled ideas.
Returning program coordinators, Krystal Esau and Rynnelle Wiebe, expect numbers to increase with additional programs ranging from preschool to Grade 7. The program attracted 130 kids last year, and could potentially rise to 155 this summer. Although the program won’t start back up until July, the library is already searching for volunteers.
“It’s just cool to see kids grow up and we’ve seen some definite growth, and there are a couple kids who were in our teen program who now are volunteers so that’s really cool to see them step out and take some responsibility,” said Esau, who recalls nine volunteers taking part in the program last year. “I think what makes this program so special is that it has a lot of different aspect to it. It’s not just for kids who already like to read, but also for kids who just need something to do in the summer. We try to encourage creativity, and we try to encourage making new friends.”
While the program incorporates games, crafts, prizes, and lots of reading, the coordinators are already thinking of creative ways to entertain their groups. Unprecedented in Strathmore, the staff is planning to offer a challenge that will have the different groups compete against each other to see who can read the most. Esau and Wiebe are planning on monitoring the groups’ efforts by tracking their reading achievements around the meeting room wall until they reach a pinned-up treehouse.
“We’re hoping to emphasize that books aren’t just for school, they’re also a form of play,” said Wiebe, Summer Reading Program coordinator. “We get a theme because we are working under the TD Summer Reading Club for libraries, and the theme this year is play.”
Having previously explored themes including Eureka and Go, the library is thrilled with the announcement while drawing attention to the many books associated with the theme. However, despite serving as entertainment for families during the summer, the library recognized the program’s many benefits. Over the years, the staff has seen many kids improve their reading levels over the summer and as a result grow in their comprehension skills and confidence.
“There are many studies that show that as kids continue to read throughout summer, they’ll actually do better in the following school year,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director to Library Services at the Strathmore Municipal Library. “For us to be able to provide a type of program like this for the community is quite beneficial to families if they want to continue on with that education throughout summer.”
For kids who are heading on vacation during the summer, tracking their reading online allows them to continue to participate in the program and score some great prizes. Esau and Wiebe are also looking into offering events on certain Fridays for children in the community regardless of whether they are part of the program. With a minimal fee of $5 for the summer, or $6.50 if paying by credit card, Erison said the library didn’t want children left out due to cost. She added that any low income families can meet with the staff to have their fee waived.
Whereas the TD Summer Reading Club is Canada-wide, the Marigold Library System also offers an online reading program for teenagers. The Summer Reading Program is offered for kids aged three to 13 and runs from July 6 – Aug. 21. Registration to the program opens on June 13 at 10 a.m. For more information about the program and registration visit www.strathmorelibrary.ca.