Library’s Summer Reading Program up and running

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Last year’s Summer Reading Program’s less than anticipated turnout isn’t putting a damper on the efforts of a couple former Strathmore High School students.
The students are already brainstorming ideas and promoting the program to help reduce the summer slide – the tendency for students to lose some of the advancements gained throughout the school year by a lack of practice over the summer.
Carseland’s Kelsey Hall and Strathmore area resident Danya Wheeler are in Strathmore this summer to run the program. The duo knew each other while finishing studies at Strathmore High School, and since working at the library have built a close friendship. Now they are taking their ideas and approaching Strathmore’s elementary schools to attract students to the reading program while ensuring their reading abilities are maintained before returning to school in the fall.
“The idea is that students lose some of their reading ability over the summer when they stop reading. Our program helps them keep that up for when they start the next academic year at the same level that they finished the last one,” said Wheeler. “It’s also just such a fun thing to do with your summer. It’s not work, it’s just play.”
Wheeler and Hall have spent the past few weeks flipping through binders dating back to 2006 filled with information and advice from previous program coordinators. Library staff is confident the new employees’ efforts within the town, accompanied by their ideas for the six-week-long program, will increase attendance numbers from last year’s 104.
“Registration was down last year, and we’re doing a lot more school visits to try and promote the program before the summer hits,” said Rachel Dick Hughes, director of library services with Strathmore Municipal Library.
“I think the main thing is to make sure kids keep reading and love reading. It keeps them socializing over the summer and keeps them excited about learning new things and reading different things at home; and it gives parents a bit of a break over summer vacation too.”
Hall is a full-time university student at the University of Alberta working on a double major in psychology and sociology, while Wheeler is studying media and communications at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.
Both Hall and Wheeler have leadership experience after working as summer camp leaders and volunteering in youth programs and in women’s shelters.
The Summer Reading Program focuses on youth ranging in age from three to Grade 7, and combines reading with other activities, crafts and games. This year the overarching theme is the World as Your Stage, while also focusing on a theme of Feed Your Passions.
The program starts on July 3 and runs for six weeks until Aug. 10. Registration starts on June 9 online for $6.50 or $5 in person at the Strathmore Municipal Library. For more information or to register visit their website (strathmorelibrary.ca/srp).