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ENJOYand LEARN about at the Red Deer Public Library BY EMILY ROGERS Red Deer Express
Staff members at the Red Deer Public Library (RDPL) are achieving their goal of keeping individuals interested in reading during the summer months. The library is hosting a variety of family-orientated programs during the summer, said Youth Services Manager Jill Griffith. The RDPL hosts a variety of reading clubs to fit their clients’ unique wants, the most popular however is the Summer Reading Club. Children, teens and adults are all encour-
aged to take part in the Summer Reading Club. Individuals will have the opportunity to complete bingo cards after reading books in order to win various prizes. “The goal is to keep kids reading when school is out,” Griffith said, adding that the program used to end during the summer, however it was so successful RDPL decided to bring it back year-round. “The program has absolutely been well received by the community - people expect it and look forward to it.” Also, Red Deer Reads, a community-wide
Proud to support advanced learning in our Community
book club, returned for its third year. This club is a great way to meet and connect with people who have the same interests, Griffith said. Among the many clubs, there is also the Any Book Book Club where individuals who are looking for new reading material will benefit from attending. Thoughts on books, recommendations and refreshments are all served at the club meetings. The downtown branch is also offering a Newcomers Reading Club where adults of all ages can join the English as a Second Language Reading Club. Activities include comprehension, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises by reading and discussing books. However, the RDPL does not only focus on book club events during the summer, but also a variety of family-orientated programs such as an Old Fashioned Family Fun Picnic. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs while participating in old-fashioned games such as races and tug of war. The RDPL also has Summer Family Fun Nights with a variety of activities for families such as game nights, movie nights, paint nights, family read aloud events, competitions and challenges with games of Family Feud to Thursdays in the Snell. Individuals are also welcome to spend their
lunch hours in the Snell Auditorium for coffee, tea and free concerts featuring many artists each month. Meanwhile, new to the RDPL this year is the Toddler Fun program, which is 30 minutes of interactive rhymes, songs, reading and puppets. Children 19 months to three years of age, along with their caregivers are encouraged to take part in the program. Griffith added individuals think the library slows down during the summer, but it actually picks up significantly, since families begin to have more free time. She said the programs have grown every year, but the library has also. Griffith is excited for everyone to come in and see the renovations completed to better the community’s experience at the downtown branch. “There’s a pre-conceived notion of what a library is like; it’s actually a lot of fun that people don’t expect.” Griffith added all of the events scheduled are also great social programs which help others meet new people and make connections with other members of the community. “The library is the centre of a community, it brings people together and it’s a great place for travel resources this summer as well. People would be surprised what they will find at the library.”
CATALINA ROOKIE CAMP ! will be held at the Michener Pool Tuesday Sept. 5th - Friday Sept. 8th, 2017
SIGN UP !
• Can you swim a length of the pool (25 meters)? • Never been a member of our swim club before? • Want to learn some new swimming skills?
Earl Dreeshen, MP (Red Deer-Mountain View)
Constituency Office: Suite 100A - 4315 55 Ave.
403-347-7426 Toll Free 1-866-211-0959 www.earldreeshen.ca
Ages 9 years & under: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. each day Ages 10 years & Over: 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. each day
Cost: $50.00 * Catalina offers a Pre-Competitive Program
Online Registration begins August 1st, 2017 Established in 1952, the Catalina Swim Club is one of Alberta’s oldest amateur swimming clubs!
For more information call: 403-347-SWIM (7946)
Visit us online at: www.reddeercatalina.ca Email: barb@reddeercatalina.ca