VICTORIA - The sounds of creativity echoed through the Greater Victoria Public Library's Central Branch today as Minister of Education Peter Fassbender was joined by young learners for a morning of reading and Lego building, celebrating the BC Summer Reading Club. This year's club theme, "Build It!" encourages kids to use technology, crafts, architecture and imagination to explore books and get a head- start to hands-on learning. Offered at public libraries throughout the province, the Summer Reading Club builds literacy skills and encourages creative discovery.
"Reading is life's essential skill. The Summer Reading Club gives kids the tools to explore their own literacy journey, while discovering new books, new ideas and new stories. I know every child participating this summer is reaching new reading goals, keeping their reading skills sharp, and getting ready for the new school year in September." says Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education.
The Summer Reading Club helps kids stick to their reading goals and prevents summer reading loss. Voluntary reading strongly encourages and establishes good reading habits, and has a positive connection to future success in school. Improving the literacy skills of all British Columbians is vital to the province's social and economic development. The Summer Reading Club reaches over 85,000 young learners during July and August. All public libraries in B.C. take part in the program. Each year the Ministry of Education provides $50,000 in Funding to the BC Library Association to co-ordinate the Summer Reading Club and provide materials to libraries. To connect with a local summer reading program, parents can contact their local library. A list of libraries is online at www.commons.bclibraries.ca
