NB 673
June 2, 2005
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Young people in New Brunswick are invited to sign up for the 2005 Summer Reading Club, Let's Go on a Safa-Read. This activity, which is organized by the New Brunswick Public Library Service, was officially launched today at the Atholville Public Library.
"The Summer Reading Club gives children an opportunity to improve their reading skills while at the same time having fun," Education Minister Madeleine Dubé said. "The theme, Let's Go on a Safa-Read, reminds children that reading can be an adventure full of discovery."
The Summer Reading Club is a free, non-competitive activity offered by the province's 62 public libraries and four bookmobiles during the months of July and August. Programs and activities are scheduled to take place throughout the summer. Participants receive a reading logbook to record the books they have read, as well as a bookmark and a sticker. At the end of the summer, they will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Minister of Education.
The Summer Reading Club will also include online activities on the New Brunswick Public Libraries' website at http://www.gnb.ca/publiclibraries.
Every summer, more than 10,000 young people participate in the Summer Reading Club's activities and read over 250,000 books. Moreover, they participate in the numerous activities organized by public libraries and bookmobiles.
The Department of Training and Employment Development supports the Summer Reading Club by subsidizing 76 positions for students who will be hired to organize and promote 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 $240,000 to help students gain valuable skills and work experience during the summer months."
This year, the Summer Reading Club also received a $1,000 donation from RBC Financial Group. This will be used to purchase library books for young readers.
To sign up for the 2005 Summer Reading Club, young people can visit their local public library or bookmobile.
05/06/02
MEDIA CONTACT: Jason Humphrey, Education, 506-444-4714.
05/06/02