Entertain kids with the library’s free Summer Reading Club
By Luna Vo
Summer is here, but how will you keep your kids entertained now that they are out of school? Of course, your first thought was to turn to your public library for answers!
Every summer, the Ottawa Public Library partners with the TD Summer Reading Club to encourage a life-long love of reading. It also encourages children to explore literacy in new and fun ways! This free, bilingual program is available to children of all ages, interests and reading abilities. With 2,000 public libraries across Canada participating, every child can join online from home, abroad or even on the road.
Why join the TD Summer Reading Club? Studies show that there is significant learning loss over the summer months for children. Joining the club is a fun way for them to maintain their reading skills, confidence and motivation. Children will also get a head start with their reading levels when entering their new grade!
To join, simply visit your closest public library starting June 10 and get a Summer Reading Club (SRC) kit. You will receive an activity booklet, a web access code, stickers and an agamograph (art using optical illusion) activity.
What can children do on the website? As part of the largest reading club across Canada, children can connect with other children across the country, read books and comics online, join in activities such as writing jokes, stories, voting in Battle of the Books and more! There are also great resources for children with print disabilities and for pre-readers.
But wait! There’s more!
Everyone has been waiting for summer to begin and we, at the library, have been busy bees planning some fun summer activities and programs. Come participate in some free activities with your community (and maybe win some prizes too)!
What free activities and programs are happening at Sunnyside Library this summer? Sunnyside will be offering programs for different age groups. You can expect to see lots of crafts, storytimes, movies, Cubetto, breakout rooms and lots more! Keep your eyes peeled for updates on our website at https://ottawa.bibliocommons.com/ or come visit us in the children’s section for more information.
Please note that some programs will require registration, which will open to the public on June 10. You (or your child) will need to have an Ottawa Public Library card
We will also be hosting a contest to encourage children to read consistently during the summer. Children will receive a calendar in their SRC kits to keep track of how many days they have been reading. At the end of summer, children can submit their calendars for a chance to win a prize!
Lastly, to celebrate the beginning of summer and the Summer Reading Club, please join us for the Launch Party on June 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. You can pick up your kits and join in some fun activities too!
Hope to see you soon!
Luna Vo is a children’s programmer at the Ottawa Public Library’s Sunnyside Branch.
