Local library brings back programs aimed at prosperity, family and growth
By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor
With warmer temperatures quickly eliminating any remembrance of winter, the Strathmore Municipal Library is welcoming back its annual spring and summer programs.
Therefore, the staff is excited to bring back the annual Plant and Seed Exchange, Summer Reading Program, the Great Family Treasure Hunt as well as the third instalment of their financial planning series.
As attendance is always well maintained throughout the popular Plant and Seed Exchange program, residents are able to exchange current plants or seeds for new additions to their garden or simply visit with other plant enthusiasts on May 26. A few days after, the library will be hosting the third session of their financial planning series, after having offered 75 Ways to Save on Household Expenses, and Irregular Income, in the past. The session will be made available online and streamed to various other communities through the RISE network, while the library is acting as the host site by presenting financial educator Mark Kalinowski.
“This session is designed for expectant parents who want to plan ahead for that maternity and parental leave as well as the cost associated with having a new baby in the home,” said Carmen Erison, assistant director to library services at the Strathmore Municipal Library.
“But this is not just for new parents. Costs are always there whether you’re going on maternity leave or parental leave as a new parent, but also adding to your family as well, because now finances will get even more tighter.”
The library is also bringing back by popular demand, the Great Family Treasure Hunt, where this year’s detective theme motivates families to put on their detective hats and search for hidden clues and treasures in Kinsmen Park, the Lambert Park, and downtown Strathmore. The event focuses on teamwork and groups working together in solving clues.
Although the library didn’t receive all the government funding they had anticipated for their Summer Reading Program, the program will continue with some slight changes including being narrowed down to six weeks, and moving from a Monday to Thursday slot into a Tuesday to Friday arrangement. The program is split into groups for three to five-year-olds, Kindergarten to Grade 1, Grade 2-4, and Grade 5-7. For those unable to attend, children still have the option of participating in the free program where they can still partake in weekly challenges and collect stickers while doing it on their own.
“Often people think do I want to put my child into a reading program over the summer? But research has shown that when children read throughout the summer they are more prepared in the fall when school comes and so that’s one of the big advantageous of putting your child into a reading program,” said Erison. “It’s not solely based on reading, it’s based on having fun while reading playing games doing crafts and just enjoying the summer together.”
The Plant and Seed Exchange will take place at the Strathmore Municipal Library on May 26 from 10 a.m., to 1 p.m. and is free to attend. Planning Financially for Your New Arrival is on May 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Families are welcome to attend the free-to-attend Great Family Treasure Hunt on June 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Summer Reading Program will be back from July 3 to Aug. 10 and is open to ages three to 13 years old. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on June 9 at a cost of $5 per child for the summer paid in person, or $6.50 online (www.strathmorelibrary.ca/srp).