Islanders are invited to join Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, and special guests, this Saturday at a reading event being hosted by the Confederation Centre Public Library to celebrate International Literacy Day.
Special guests will read aloud for 5-10 minutes from a book they personally enjoy, and hope others will also enjoy. The reading material may be a work of fiction or non-fiction. Guest readers will include Minister Bertram, Karen Mair from CBC Radio, Catherine O'Brien and Norman Findlayson from the PEI Literacy Alliance, and Heather Irvine of the PEI Humane Society.
“Literacy is of lifelong importance to every Islander; it plays a vital role in developing our potential as individuals and as a province,” says Minister Bertram. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to mark International Literacy Day with a celebration of reading, and I look forward to the opportunity to share my own love of books and reading.”
The aim of International Literacy Day is to focus attention on the need to promote worldwide literacy. The reading event will run from 2 - 3 p.m. Guest readers with children's titles will read in the Children's Loft and those with adult titles will read in the special events area on the main floor of the library. Everyone is welcome.
“Special literacy activities are also planned for public libraries throughout the province,” the Minister said. “I invite Islanders to celebrate International Literacy Day at the public library in their community. It is my hope that these activities will encourage both adults and children to develop the habit of reading every day.”
BACKGROUNDER
International Literacy Day Events throughout Prince Edward Island:
• Alberton Public Library: Friday, September 7, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Storytelling Program – an hour of tales from yesteryear with facilitator Gerarda Corcoran. There will be a display of quick reads and different book formats.
• Montague Public Library: Saturday, September 8.
Celebrate International Literacy Day with reading, poems, stories, and children’s books.
• St. Peters Public Library: Saturday, September 8, 10 a.m. - 12 noon
Used Book Sale at the library.
• Stratford Public Library: Saturday, September 8, 2 p.m.
MLA Cynthia Dunsford, Author Nancy Russell, and Town Council members will be giving public readings at the Stratford Library.
• Summerside Rotary Library: Saturday, September 8, 10:30 a.m.
Family Read-A-Thon. How Many Books Can You Read in an Hour? Families with children of all ages are invited to participate. You can read together, you can read alone, and you can read in any language! All families will receive a certificate for the day, as well as the chance to win a prize.
For more information about events at Provincial Libraries, go to www.library.pe.ca
International Literacy Day Background information:
• International Literacy Day was first observed on September 8, 1967 and is celebrated each year on September 8.
• It is estimated that 860 million of the world’s adults do not know how to read or write (nearly two-thirds of this number are women), and that more than 100 million children lack access to education.
• On International Literacy Day, individuals, organizations, and countries throughout the world renew their efforts to promote literacy and demonstrate their commitment to providing education for all.
• Because International Literacy Day coincides with the beginning of a new school year in many countries, classroom teachers use this day to recognize the importance of literacy in the lives of both children and adults.
• International Literacy Day is sponsored annually by the International Reading Association. For more information go to www.reading.org
For information about local activities or about International Literacy Day, contact Barb Kissick, Confederation Centre Children's Library, 902-368-4641, bjkissick@gov.pe.ca