Have you ever noticed that library patrons suddenly become shorter and louder in the summer? With the ending of the school year, more and more children come into the library looking to satisfy their craving for a good book and the staff at the Summerland branch do all that they can to make sure the kids get their fix!
Not that long ago – okay maybe it was longer than I like to admit, I was one of those kids running around the library looking for a story to immerse myself into. My Mom had set a limit of only 7 books per visit, which I found to be totally unjust. How could she could deprive me like that and not be reported, I will never be sure.
At the end of the school year, I would look forward to coming to Summer Reading Club. My favourite part was that each year there was a new theme with a few different programs based around it. I would have so much fun at the programs with my friends all while discovering new books! It truly is a book lovers’ paradise.
Fast forward a little bit, and here I am, working at the Summerland Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library and even running the programs that I had loved so much as a kid. I am so excited for this years Summer Reading Club theme - “Book a Trip!” and I strive to make it as fun as I remember it being in my childhood. Not only is the club a great way to have some fun during the summer, but it is also an excellent way to maintain and improve reading skills between the school year.
As a special kickoff to this years Summer Reading club, we are going to take a trip around Summerland and test out your mini golf game at our annual “Donuts with Dad” event on June 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your whole family along to munch on donuts and show off your putting skills at the holes each modelled after a landmark or area in Summerland. There will be prizes for the top teams, and each Dad will go home with a special gift.
Our “Donuts with Dad” event will be the first day that registration will be open for Summer Reading Club. If you think that it is something your child might enjoy, whether they are an avid reader or not so much you can come find me inside the library at the registration booth.
Don’t fret if you can’t make it into the library until later, we will be taking registrations throughout the summer.
Although I am excited to see all the little patrons coming into the library, I am also anticipating many grown-up patrons too! Throughout the summer, there is nothing better than relaxing with a good book in the Okanagan sun.
If you are having troubles finding a good summer read, the staff at the Summerland Library have put together a book list for adults, young adults and children. Some titles include, “In a Dark Dark Wood” by Ruth Ware, “The Eye of Minds” by James Dashner and “The Adventures of Miss Petitfour” by Anne Michaels. We will have many copies of these books on hand in our library, so come on in and check one out!
Kayley Robb is an Assistant Community Librarian at the Summerland Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.