Capturing the imagination of young readers and promoting a love of adventure through reading will be the focus of the 2004 Summer Reading Program through a Dragons, Books and Quests theme. The PEI Provincial Library TD National Summer Reading Club was launched today by the Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister Responsible for Libraries, Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee, staff of the Confederation Centre Children’s Library, children and parents. Blaze the Fire Dog and a member of the Charlottetown Fire Department were also on hand to celebrate reading with children at the library.
“I am extremely pleased to see the interest that the summer reading program continues to generate among children and parents across the province each summer,” said Minister Elmer MacFadyen. “This program is designed to encourage children and families to make reading an important part of their summer vacation.”
The theme for 2004, Fire Up the Imagination: Dragons, Books and Quests, celebrates the adventure and mystery that can be discovered through reading. Children must read at least 15 minutes a day through the summer to maintain reading levels from June to September. To highlight the special theme, a number of special activities will take place throughout the summer in library branches across the province.
“Each year the Provincial Library Service sponsors a special summer reading program to encourage Island children to read throughout the summer months,” said Barb Kissick, Children’s Librarian. “I invite Island children and their parents to visit their local library and sign-up for the summer reading program.”
Participants can register at their local library. Participants set their own reading goal for the summer and will receive a log book in which they can keep track of their reading throughout the summer.