They’re simply adorable.
The monkey, the panda and the owl. A hoot!
The lion, the dino and the cow. Utterly irresistible!
They’re desk pets and every child who signs up for the summer reading program at the Springwater Public Library (SPL) will get one.
“Our big summer program is the TD Summer Reading Program,” said Amanda Hodgkinson, children and youth librarian at SPL. “Children sign up to the Readsquared app, track how many minutes that they are reading, and they get prizes based upon how much they read.
“When kids sign up, they will get a desk pet as encouragement to start their summer reading,” she added.
The theme of the TD Summer Reading program this year is "Out of this World!"
Registration starts June 3.
As well as getting a desk pet, children will have a chance to win prizes from community partners, such as the Vespra Lions Club, the Elmvale Lionness Club, Linda's Ice Cream Hut, Midhurst and Elmvale Pharmasave and Circle K.
“It is a great incentive for kids to read over the summer and prevent the ‘summer slide’ where kids lose some of the knowledge that they learned in school,” Hodgkinson said.
To highlight the reading program, in addition to the online component, SPL will have weekly, in-branch programs with activities, crafts and games.
“Our aim is to instill a lifelong love of reading that continues well into adulthood,” Hodgkinson said. “Through the summer reading program, the library becomes a place where they can create positive, lasting memories.”
According to Hodgkinson, library staff start planning summer programs months ahead of the end of school. They meet and brainstorm a variety of ideas and eventually end up with a program that they hope will engage as many residents as possible.
Every year, SPL staff are challenged to create something they’ve never done before.
“New this year we will have a coding club as well as an escape room and weekly crafts,” Hodgkinson noted.
The coding club and the escape room will be available at both the Elmvale and Midhurst locations. Exact times and dates have not been confirmed.
At the coding club, children will learn to create their own websites, apps, video games, animations, and more. The registration link can be found on the Springwater Public Library website under Online Resources. (All library members have free access to Fiero Code, a coding program suitable for children and teens aged eight to 18.)
For those who like solving puzzles, cracking codes, and searching for clues, the escape room could be right for you. You’ll have the opportunity to unlock your inner detective by trying out the pirate-themed escape room. A great group activity for families and friends, the escape room is suitable for children ages six and up.
While it’s difficult for staff to pick the most popular programs — “they’re all popular,” Hodgkinson says — they acknowledge the children’s crafting programs are well attended and the Chalk the Block week, which is open to all ages, is always a hit.
“Participants decorate the sidewalks around the library branches to kick off our summer reading in a bright and colourful way,” she said.
Tech Help and the Thursday Night knitting group are top of the charts for adults.
Having won the national TD Summer Reading Program award for best summer reading program in 2022 for their hybrid programming, expectations are high for the SPL.
“This summer our goal is to be as adaptable as possible to trends and what families are looking for,” Hodgkinson said. “We offer programming during the day, the evening and on weekends as well as online in order to be available for everyone.”
More information about summer programs at SPL, as well as registration details, can be found on the website www.springwaterlibrary.ca
