WELLINGTON COUNTY – Library branches in Wellington County and Guelph are hosting events on Jan. 27 for the 25th anniversary of Family Literacy Day.
This year’s theme is “Let’s have a family party.”
“It’s to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family,” said ABC Life Literacy Canada executive director Alison Howard.
“Every year we have schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups across Canada take part, and we also develop free learning and promotional resources ourselves that are available for anyone who wants to get involved.”
Started in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada, Family Literacy Day has since spread across the country to different schools and libraries, which now hold their own events for the annual celebration.
“Learning to read really begins long before a child starts school,” Wellington County’s head librarian Rebecca Hine told the Advertiser.
“Families and caregivers who can actively engage with children to improve literacy skills, are giving those children a huge advantage in life.”
The Wellington County Library uses the American Library Association program “Every Child Ready to Read.”
It emphasizes there are five practices for improving literacy skills: talking, singing, reading, writing and playing.
“It also really emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in those activities,” said Hine.
“It doesn’t have to just be reading a book. You just want to engage in a fun way [and] to make literacy a part of everyday life.”
Hine told the Advertiser that last summer the Wellington County libraries had more children’s material checked out than they have had in the last decade.
“That’s a very promising indicator that reading is still very important,” she said.
County events
Wellington County libraries will be holding a series of events for Family Literacy Day.
Author and plasticine illustrator Barbara Reid is hosting a series of Zoom events.
“Hillsburgh, Elora and Harriston are all hosting group events where [families] can get together and learn with Barbara Reid how to do some clay illustrations,” Hine said.
To register on your own for the virtual event, visit abclifeliteracy.ca.
Other events include “make and take” crafts and scavenger hunts.
Jan. 26 is a P.A. Day at the UGDSB and Hine said there will be activities being held at local libraries then as well.
A full list of events, times and locations can be found at wellington.libnet.info/events.
Guelph events
The Guelph Public Library will be celebrating Family Literacy Day at 10:30am at the Westminster Square branch with “Musical Fun with Paul Clarke.”
At 2:30pm the same day, it will have an event at the main library “to learn together as a family during our special party celebration.”
No registration is required for either event. For more information visit guelphpl.libnet.info/events.
