As summer winds down, so does the excitement of the Boyne Regional Library’s annual Summer Reading Program. This year, it launched on July 2 and attracted an impressive 519 young readers eager to embark on literary adventures.
The program wrapped up with a draw for the ten grand prizes on Aug. 28 and overall was very successful. There were some new aspects and prizes to this year’s program.
The goal of the Summer Reading Program is to encourage children to read outside of school, instill the love of reading independently, and encourage children to read outside of their comfort zone.
Each kid received ten ballots just for signing up, but each week, there was also an incentive challenge for the chance to win more ballots. Some of the challenges included asking a library staff member a question, reading a nonfiction book on a new topic, and checking out a book they located using the library’s search engine.
Giving registered participants this extra chance to get a ballot increased their chances of winning a prize. It also helped them become more familiar with the library and library resources and explore new topics in their reading.
The grand prize winners were drawn on Aug. 29 by Tanis of Access Credit Union, the generous sponsor of the grand prizes. The prizes included a swing, a tent, fun family activities, items for teens, John Deere toys, a karaoke machine, a rock tumbler, crafts, and, of course, books. The winners have all been contacted and have picked up their prizes. The results have also been posted on the Boyne Regional Library’s social media pages and on its website.
The Boyne Regional Library is tremendously grateful for all of the local businesses that contributed to its Summer Reading Program this year. They would like to thank Access Credit Union, Blue Crescent Hotel, Syl’s Drive Inn, Greenland Equipment Ltd, Evensong, The Prices Rite, Carman Pharmacy, Peace Lily Therapeutics, Paul’s Place, Toews Printing, The Home Hardware, Whitehots, Carman 5 Pin Bowling and True North Sports and Entertainment for their generous role in making the Summer Reading Program happen.
“We hope to continue growing and improving the Summer Reading Program in the coming years, but in the meantime, we are excited about the other opportunities and activities happening throughout the year at the library,” said Scarlett Friesen, a staff member at Boyne Regional Library.
Just a few of these activities include the Youth Makers Market on Nov. 16. Applications for youth vendors can be found on the library’s website. Another upcoming event is Wine Survivor, the annual Boyne Regional Library fundraiser. This year’s funds will go towards library programming for children, adults, and families.
Astro Club on Sept. 18 and an All About Birds workshop on Sept. 19 are also coming up. Stay tuned to the Boyne Regional Library’s social media pages and website for more information on those events and many more to be announced.
