NB 667
June 9, 2004
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Young people in New Brunswick are invited to sign up for the Summer Reading Club whose theme this year is Worlds to Discover. This activity organized by the province's public libraries was officially launched today at Global Festival Place in Moncton.
"The Summer Reading Club gives children an opportunity to strengthen their reading skills while having fun," Education Minister Madeleine Dubé said. "The theme, Worlds to Discover, highlights the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Pierre Dugua and Samuel de Champlain on Saint Croix Island. It will also allow us to present reading as an activity that lets us explore new worlds, real or imaginary."
The Summer Reading Club is a free, non-competitive activity offered by the province's 62 public libraries and four bookmobiles during July and August. Programs and activities related to the theme are scheduled to take place throughout the summer. Participants receive a reading log to record the books they have read, as well as a bookmark and a mini door poster. At the end of the summer, they will receive a certificate of achievement signed by Lieutenant-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson.
Summer Reading Club activities will be available on-line as well. The New Brunswick Public Libraries' Web site will include a special section consisting of interactive games that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The address for this Web site is http://www.gnb.ca/publiclibraries.
Every summer, more than 10,000 young people sign up for the Summer Reading Club and read over 200,000 books, in addition to participating in the different activities organized by the public libraries and bookmobiles.
The Department of Training and Employment Development is supporting this program by subsidizing 60 positions for students who will be hired to organize and promote the Summer Reading Club activities at various public libraries.
"Our department is pleased to provide wage support through our student summer employment program," Training and Employment Development Minister Margaret-Ann Blaney said. "We are funding over $150,000 to help students gain valuable skills and work experience during the summer months while they are between school years."
This year, the Summer Reading Club also received support from Scholastic Canada, which will be providing the public libraries with books for young people.
To sign up for the 2004 Summer Reading Club, young people can visit their local public library or bookmobile.
04/06/09
MEDIA CONTACT: Hugues Beaulieu, communications, Education, 506-444-4714.
04/06/09