Library hosts summer programs kickoff

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Municipal Library hosted their summer kickoff event, June 13, at the facility, highlighting all of the upcoming programs for the season. 

Laura Henderson, public services manager for the library, explained the team wanted to take advantage of all of the things happening throughout the summer for all ages at the event in order to highlight them for the community. 

“There (were) lots of games and activities and promotions sort of describing what we will be offering through the summer, so it just sort of (was) launching our summer programs,” she said. “For instance, we had our early literacy programmers – they highlighted our Mother Goose in the Park program, which happens at Kinsman on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m., starting July 8.”

Also included at the kickoff event was a miniature obstacle course for toddlers, a scavenger hunt, and activities featured at the booth for the summer reading programs. 

As of June 14, registration for the library’s summer reading programs has also officially opened to youth throughout the community. 

“We also had the Wheatland Youth Network, those are our teen group, they were doing button making as well as some beading activities. Out adult literacy program, SAIL, had some large games as well,” said Henderson. “The Canadian Parents for French were highlighting the program at École Brentwood School, just talking a little about the resources that they have, and then our board put on a hotdog fundraiser as well.”

Every year, the library’s summer reading program hosts their registered, scheduled program on a weekly basis, as well as community events on Fridays. They typically host a kickoff activity to get the community together and highlight what they are offering. 

In the spirit of looking at the whole summer and the myriad of activities being hosted at the library throughout the season, Henderson said it seemed prudent to highlight everything all at once in a way, has not been done before. 

“We have always had things going on, but it was sort of the summer reading program that took on the weight of those community events and put them all together. We thought that just, we all work together, we all have things to offer, we should do something together,” said Henderson. “Most of the programming that we offer, so do aim to make mostly free. The summer reading program does have a small fee for the full summer, so they offer weekly registered programs; they are $5 dollars for the full summer if you pay in person, or $7 dollars if you register online.”

More information regarding the library’s summer programs, as well as schedules and booking has been made available through their website.