Last summer a Grade 5 student picked up the first book in the Harry Potter series. That boy, a reluctant reader but a participant just the same in the Greater Victoria Public LibraryB次元官网网址檚 Summer Reading Club, worked through the novel word by word and page by page.
It took him the entire summer to finish, but he read every day. His reward for completing the program was a new book to take home.
Amongst the others on the shelf he spotted the second book in the series and that was his prize.
ItB次元官网网址檚 stories like this one that inspire the GVPL to continue to offer the program, turning reluctant readers into those that continue to turn pages while fighting the summer slump B次元官网网址� the regression in reading skills that can occur when a child doesnB次元官网网址檛 read over the summer holiday.
To help get more children involved, GVPLB次元官网网址檚 Friends of the Library volunteer group strengthened the Summer Reading Club with a $10,000 donation.
B次元官网网址淲e see how important it is for kids to keep learning and reading throughout the summer. WeB次元官网网址檙e glad to be contributing to their education in a fun, engaging way,B次元官网网址� Friends president Irwin Henderson said in a release.
Jessica Woollard, GVPLB次元官网网址檚 communications officer, noted the program is as big as it is because of their support. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 amazing,B次元官网网址� she said, adding the program has come a long way in terms of offering prizes for participants.
The funds will go towards purchasing weekly reading incentives for participants and toward other summer programs such as story time, puppet shows, themed programs and science and health- related activities.
B次元官网网址淚 was at one of the branches today watching the kids come in and they were so excited,B次元官网网址� Woollard said.
At their annual general meeting last month, the Friends of the Library committed $20,000 to support the redesign of GVPLB次元官网网址檚 website, which will launch next year.
B次元官网网址淭he volunteers have given hundreds of hours to fundraising for the library, and the positive impact of their generosity is felt every day,B次元官网网址� said Kevin Murdoch, GVPL board chair, in the same release. B次元官网网址淭housands of children will enjoy learning this summer thanks to their support, and the community at large will welcome a new and improved website, the libraryB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址榲irtual branch,B次元官网网址� to help them explore GVPLB次元官网网址檚 collections and resources to keep learning and growing.B次元官网网址�
Since registration began on June 23 for the Summer Reading Club, more than 3,000 children have registered across the region. The program is offered at all 11 branches, included the three West Shore locations.
While the Summer Reading Club is open to children 12 and under, adults and teens can get in on the fun with their own summer challenge, offered on GVPLB次元官网网址檚 website through an online contest. Woollard noted the popularity of program has already surprised staff.
B次元官网网址淲e came back after the weekend (the contest opened) and we had dozens of submissions,B次元官网网址� she said.
For more information on the contest go to .
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
