(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Summer Reading Club

Summer reading program to continue at Wapiti Regional Libraries despite COVID-19 pandemic

Jun 3, 2020 | 12:00 PM

With in-person programming being cancelled at libraries across the province, the Wapiti Regional Library is moving their summer programs online.

The usual summer reading club participants can still get involved with activities and reading challenges while winning prizes.

Wapiti Community Services Librarian Lindsay Baker told northeastNOW they launched the summer reading club on Monday but more is to come.

“On the 15th, our reading challenge for kids up to age 13 will be starting,” Baker said. “For every five books they read, they can fill out a ballot on our website to enter into our end of summer prize draws.”

There will be daily uploads of activities and challenges on the Wapiti Regional Library Facebook page and YouTube channel. A weekly challenge will also be posted with this week’s being a library bingo card.

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June 15 will also mark the beginning of the TD summer reading club which is also open to all youth up to age 13.

“In the past things some prizes have included things like tablets, or bikes or lego sets and other fun activities for a variety of ages,” Baker said.

The programs will run until August 31.

Switching to the online platform has been a real learning curve according to Baker.

“Thankfully we got grant funding from the Government of Canada through the young Canada Works program so I was able to hire a summer student to assist me in creating the program,” Baker said.

Some of those things have included learning how to record and edit video and sound along with using YouTube.

“A lot libraries are doing projects that they have been putting off at this time such as rearranging, painting and tidying,” Baker said.

Plans are being developed for when some in-person services can resume at libraries which have been placed into phase four of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

The staff at the Melfort Public Library have done different window displays as part of an i spy game. Members also have had access to online scavenger hunts over the past few weeks, so those types of initiatives will also continue while the doors remain closed.

I Spy window display at Melfort Public Library. (Facebook/Melfort Public Library)

“We want to continue to serve our public in any capacity that we can,” Baker said.

The Wapiti Library will continue to share resources online such as author readings, children’s performers, and resources this month on national indigenous people’s month and national indigenous people’s day on June 21.

“We just hope that people take part and continue to have fun, learn and read over the summer,” Baker said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser