Spring is time to ‘grow a reader’ and enjoy storytimes

Big crowds of library fans and supporters attended the Lilac Blooms Celebration of Rejuvenation at the Bloomfield Branch, Saturday, May 23. The Friends of the Bloomfield Librarey event featured a book sale, art show and sale, crafts and baked treats.

This time of year, growth is everywhere. Seedlings are being tucked into the soil, children are trying on last year’s sandals and swimsuits to see what still fits, and families are preparing for a season of sports and other activities.

An upcoming talk at the Bloomfield Branch Library will be of interest to anyone planting gardens this year, and spring is also a great time to “grow a reader”.

If you will be planting a garden this year, don’t miss an upcoming talk at the Bloomfield Library by Lise Bois, organized by the Friends of the Library. Lise is the co-chair of the County Garden Club and is an environmental gardener focusing on sustainable gardening practices. She promotes the use of native plants in the garden. On Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. she’ll give a talk all about pollinators – answer the question “Who are the pollinators and how do I attract them to my garden?” All are welcome.

For those interested in planting the seed for a lifetime of learning and literacy, the 1000 Books program is a great first step. Drop into any branch of the library and register – it just takes a minute, and you’ll get a welcome package that includes a simple tracking sheet. As you read with your child, keep track of the number of books read and challenge yourself to read 1000 books before the start of school. If you provide your email address, you’ll get a seasonal message from our program lead, Nancy Puddy. She’ll provide great ideas for simple literacy activities you can do at home and recommends some can’t-miss books to explore.

As your child grows the library can continue to foster a love of reading and learning. School age children often face what is called the “summer slide” – literacy setbacks after the summer break in school. According to Scholastic Canada, by the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two-year lag in reading achievement. One way to “stop the slide” is by providing regular access to enjoyable reading material all summer – and your public library can help. Graphic novels, engaging nonfiction, classic series and today’s most popular titles are just a few examples of the wide range of children’s books that you can take home and enjoy together. Make visiting the public library part of your summer plans and help your children hone crucial early literacy skills in a fun way.

Why not challenge yourself to visit each of the library’s six branches this summer? It can be a great way to explore Prince Edward County, and each branch has its own “personality.” Just to name a few examples, the Consecon branch is in an old church with a beautiful stained glass window. Ameliasburgh is a charming schoolhouse, and Milford has a wonderful children’s area with new beanbag chairs and children’s computer.

Also, coming up, enjoy special guest storytimes at the Picton Branch Library. On Saturday, May 30 it’s all about frogs as the South Shore Joint Initiative leads what is sure to be a “hopping” good time.

SSJI members are familiar faces in the County as they work to educate and advocate for the protection, preservation and restoration of South Shore lands and waters in Prince Edward County. Their Bird Next Box programs held in each of our six branches through March Break were a smash hit and participants left having learned a little about the local birds in our area.

Another special storytime will be held on Saturday, June 6 as we host a fancy dress storytime as part of Picton’s Fashion Week organized by the Picton Business Improvement Association. Children will be invited to wear their fanciest clothes – whatever “fancy” means to them. From sparkly princess dresses to last year’s Halloween costumes, it’s sure to be an exciting morning with stories and songs all about getting dressed up.
Music is such an important foundational skill for children as they discover rhythm, rhyme and other preliteracy skills. Alex Whyte of Music Together PEC will join us on Saturday, June 20. He’ll share songs and more with the children and their families. Vi Woo has also joined us recently sharing their musical talents, and musician Chloe Fox is a regular guest too.

The Wellington Branch Library hosted Nancy Puddy – lead of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program – at their weekly storytime to talk about this valuable opportunity for preschoolers. The 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program welcomes children and their families to challenge themselves to read 1000 books before starting school – a great starting point for formal education. Drop into any branch of the library for more information and to register for this free and low-pressure program.

We are so grateful and excited to have all of these exciting storytimes coming up – thanks to all of the volunteers who share their enthusiasm and expertise with us. Drop in to storytime every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10:30 am at the Picton Branch Library, and weekly on Saturdays at 10:30 am in Wellington. All are welcome.

Each branch has different open hours with at one night at each branch open until at least 6 pm. Visit the library website to check out the hours and find locations  or ask at any branch of the library.