Celebrate literacy every day
Although Family Literacy Day is officially celebrated only one day a year, on Jan. 27, at the library, we know it is important to encourage and support the development of life literacy skills of all types, for all ages, every day.
Whether it is physical, financial, technological or reading literacy and more — literacy skills need to be learned and practiced, to gain knowledge and build competency. Imagine what it would be like to not be able to read a book for fun; or follow a knitting pattern; or understand medication instructions; or agree to install an app on a smart phone; or sign a school report card or employment contract or know what a safety direction sign means or make sense of government document instructions.
Building a better world starts with literacy, and it starts at your local library — because learning to read comes before reading to learn.
From Jan. 23 until Jan. 27, share with us your all-time family favourite stories to read aloud together as we celebrate Family Literacy Day daily at the Trenton Library. All are welcome to drop by and read aloud at the library, snap a selfie to share, and try our doodle table too.
On Jan. 24, the Pictou Library is home to a Mystery Puppet Show. We need you to help us solve the mystery of the disappearing library books. Curtains up at 10:30 a.m. and all are welcome.
Jan 25 is a super busy day at the library — filled with great family-fun activities from dawn to dusk. Starting at 10:15 a.m., the New Glasgow Library’s Preschool Storytime will feature some special guest readers — Julie Martin, Bob Boardway and his guide dog will be dropping by to share in some reading fun.
The Westville Library will host a Pete the Cat Preschool Storytime at 1:15pm, with Pete the Cat. While at the Stellarton Library at 3 p.m., it’s time to test your LEGOability with a Family LEGO Challenge, followed by a Snuggle Up and Read Family Pyjama Party Storytime at 6:15 p.m.
On Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m., the Westville Library is hosting Together with Heather Music program for children. Join local musician Heather for a morning of musical fun as we celebrate Family Literacy Day.
And on Jan. 27, the library has more family fun, all day long. The Pictou Library starts the day at 10:30 a.m., with a Family Storytime with special guest readers, and everyone is invited to bring your favourite book to share.
Later in the afternoon at 2 p.m., there will also be Snowman Building Fun (with all materials provided). The River John, Westville, Stellarton and Trenton libraries invite everyone to drop by on Saturdays, to play a game, read a book aloud, make a supercraft, build with LEGOs and giant building blocks, too. Let your imagination run wild, and create something cool to take home. On Saturdays, the River John and Westville libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stellarton and Trenton libraries are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Pictou and New Glasgow libraries are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on upcoming library programs, special events and services, please drop by your local library branch, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, or visit us online at www. parl.ns.ca.
Trecia Schell, Community Services Librarian, and Branch Librarian — Books-by-Mail, River John, Stellarton & Trenton Public Libraries.