Across Morris and area, children are flipping pages as they participate in the annual TD Summer Reading Club delivered through 2,200 public libraries across Canada, including the Valley Regional Library in Morris.
“We always strive to keep children interested in reading throughout the summer,” shares head librarian Diane Ali. “The summer club is a fun way to keep them motivated. Everyone likes to be challenged, win prizes, and have friendly competition.
“The under eight age group is our biggest participant group. They love the idea of picking their own books, choosing a prize from the treasure box, and taking home what they want to read. They are still excited to come to the library.”
Registration is as easy as a name, phone number, and age shared with the front desk staff. Participants receive a package of activity sheets, stickers, and postcards along with a reading log. For every five books read and verified by a parent, children can return to the library for a prize.
This year’s theme “Around the World” includes an interactive website with trivia, jokes, a book battle, and videos featuring authors and illustrators.
Library clerk and summer reading program coordinator Brooklyn Williamson says watching the kids choose their prize is the most rewarding part of the program.
“You can see how proud they are of their hard work. This program encourages them to read more and have active minds during the summer.”
Local parent and Altona adult education teacher Coralie Potetz has both her sons registered in the reading club this summer, the youngest for the first time.
“Archer reads constantly,” says Potetz as her three-year-old was nose deep into a Paw Patrol reader. “Especially since he got new glasses last week.”
Her older son heads into Grade 2 in the fall.
“For Atticus to colour in his squares and get a prize, he needs to read a book at his reading level this summer,” she says. “It doesn’t count if an adult reads the story to him.”
When asked how many books he’s read, Atticus answers, “A lot.”
His favourite? Lego-themed books.
With over 30 years at the library, Ali acknowledges that keeping older readers engaged is a challenge.
“We are competing with electronics and organized entertainment all summer. It is difficult, but a library is a living entity and we change with the times.”
Despite its smaller book collection, the Valley Regional Library is stocked with new releases and offers access to every library in Manitoba through inter-library loans.
“Unlike the city libraries, where you might wait weeks for a new release, we often have it right away,” Ali says. “We try to keep our library current. Even though we might not have everything in a series, we can bring it in for you. E-libraries, magazines, audiobooks, and books in different languages are accessible through your library card.”
Potetz, who has loved reading from an early age, is happy to foster similar interests for her children. She visits the library often and loves that “access is so close to where we live” and that “the kids feel welcome in the library.”
The Summer Reading Club runs until Aug. 18. Participants can register in person at the Valley Regional Library or visit tdsummerreadingclub.ca for more information.
