Program leader Lauren Laliberte reads to children in the library. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Literacy skills

Alex Robertson Public Library hosts TD Summer Reading Club

Jul 25, 2019 | 5:04 PM

Children who attend the TD Summer Reading Club at La Ronge’s Alex Robertson Public Library could have literacy rates twice their grade level when classes begin in September.

“When you read a book, you are absorbing and thinking critically, so when you go back to school, you’re kind of in the mood for school,” Library Administrator Sean Stares said. “There are proven studies that literacy rates are raised by a couple of grades just by attending the program. When they go back to school, they are already focused on learning.”

The reading program began July 3 and runs until Aug. 16. Stares stated there are about 20 children between the ages of five to 11 who attend on average with attendance fluctuating with long weekends and hot weather. Lauren Laliberte and Morgan Layton, who are both headed to university in the fall, are the program facilitators.

The club is open to children Monday to Friday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Each day, participants have time to play and are taken to places like the beach in Patterson Park. Stories are read to children as well, and they are also encouraged to read a book independently. Stares noted the library installed a Summer Reading Tree on one of the walls and leaves are added for every book that’s been read.

“We wanted summer programming to reach out to the kids and especially the parents who might need a little time for themselves,” he said. “It’s the only major program we offer during the summer and it’s very necessary and good for the community.”

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One of the most popular events so far with the program this summer was Michelle Hopper’s mini-zoo. Stares mentioned 143 people were at the event, which is likely the highest attendance for any presentation at the library ever. Those who went had the opportunity to learn more about ferrets, chameleons, fat-tailed geckos, crested geckos, hamsters, corn snakes and bearded lizards.

A mini-zoo organized by Michelle Hopper was one activity during the program. (Alex Robertson Public Library/Facebook)

Alex Robertson Public Library has been hosting the TD Summer Reading Program for more than a decade. According to TD Canada Trust, the program is offered in more than 2,000 libraries and reaches 700,000 children annually. Collectively, TD estimates attendees at all clubs read more than 1.2 million books each summer.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno