Summer is the Time for Kids to “Build It!” at the Library

PRESS RELEASE

June 17, 2015

For Immediate Release

“Build It!” is the theme of this year’s Summer Reading Club at Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) branches in the North Okanagan. All five library locations in the region – Vernon, Cherryville, Lumby, Armstrong, and Enderby – have planned free special events and programs throughout the summer to ensure school-aged children improve their literacy skills and have fun while on holiday.

Summer Reading Club is an annual focus of the ORL regional library system, with support from the BC Library Association, the Ministry of Education and local Friends of the Library groups.

Local librarians have witnessed first-hand the difference summer reading can make in a young reader’s life.

“By incorporating literacy into fun hands-on activities we make reading enjoyable.  Summer Reading Club give kids a chance to learn at their own pace and connect with other kids who share their interests”, explains Stephanie Vollick, Children’s Librarian at the ORL’s Vernon Branch. “Participating in reading challenges and earning medals helps build their confidence with reading.”

Each summer a province-wide theme for the Reading Club is chosen with activities and booklists relating to the theme. For 2015, illustrator, animator and game designer Shayne Letain created the “Built It!” theme to encourage active participation and creativity from program participants. Games, reading lists, colouring pages and construction projects that can be done at home can be found on the BC Summer Reading Club website at www.kidssrc.ca.

Okanagan-based magician Leif David, known to many as “Ali K. Zam”, created a special new 45-minute magic show based on the “Build It!” theme and will tour all 29 ORL branches over the summer beginning on June 23 in Summerland.

To join Summer Reading Club, check with your local library branch for detailed registration information and activity dates. Every branch has reading logs to track children’s reading activity with prizes for completion. Basic information is as follows:

Vernon Branch has many Summer Reading Club activities throughout the summer for ages 5-8 and 9-13, while continuing StoryTime for under 3’s and special programming for teens. Registration for each Summer Reading Club event opens two weeks prior to the event date; check their branch page for details. Vernon’s launch party is on July 3.

Lumby’s Summer Reading Club registration is open now with 4 special programs on July 9, 23, August 13 and 27. Space is limited at certain events so register early.

Cherryville Branch is hosting two special events on July 9 and 16; visit the branch for details.

Enderby Branch is hosting weekly events from June 27 – August 12. Registration is open and required; more details at on the website.

Armstrong Branch’s Summer Reading Club registration opens June 23, with weekly programs between July 4 – August 7, contests and prizes.

For more details, check www.orl.bc.ca/branches.

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Media Inquiries:

Marla O’Brien

Public Relations/Fundraising Manager

Okanagan Regional Library

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