SAINT JOHN (GNB) – The 2012 Summer Reading Club, offered by the New Brunswick Public Library Service, was launched today at the Saint John Free Public Library.
"The Summer Reading Club helps children experience the joy of reading and learning while building their literacy skills during the school break," said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Martine Coulombe.
During June, July and August, children of all ages are invited to join this free library program, which encourages reading. This year, the theme for the yearly program is Heroes Abound @ your library. Participants can celebrate heroes and superheroes, real and imagined, at the 63 public libraries and three bookmobiles in the province. A web portal of hero-themed games has been designed to complement the club.
The program traditionally enrols more than 10,000 young readers who read more than 200,000 books every summer. This year, the provincial government has invested more than $300,000 in the initiative.
"Our investment in this program pays dividends by supporting efforts to improve youth literacy rates and helping to instil a culture of life-long learning and library use," said Coloumbe, "Our library services and programs such as this support our government's goal to enhance the quality of life for New Brunswickers.
"We are also able to create 75 positions for university or college students, who will serve as Summer Reading Club activity leaders. These jobs help give young workers the necessary skills and work experience to be successful in the labour market in the future."
Registration for the club is available at the end of the school year at all public libraries and bookmobiles.
LINK:
● New Brunswick Public Library Service
07-06-12