By Bessie Sullivan CEO Haliburton County Public Library

Published June 27 2017

The Haliburton County Public Library’s summer programming starts on July 4 and runs until Aug. 31. We have some of our past favourite activities happening plus the addition of some really cool technological stuff for all ages.

As always readers up to 12 years of age can register for the TD summer reading club at every one of our eight branches. The TD Summer Reading Club is Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids of all interests and of all abilities. This free program is offered at 2000 public libraries across Canada and it’s easy to include in any summer plans. The club celebrates Canadian authors illustrators and stories and inspires kids to explore the fun of reading their way. This is essential to building a lifelong love of reading and keeps reading skills sharp during the summer months making going back to school in September a little easier.

Family Storytime is a traditional summer favourite at the library. Family Storytime offers stories songs rhymes and a craft activity and is geared toward ages three to seven though all ages are welcome. Family Storytime will be offered in Dysart on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and in Minden on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. It will be in Stanhope on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and in Wilberforce on Thursdays at 2 p.m.

Recently the library received some funding to expand what we are able to offer in terms of digital literacy. Digital literacy is relevant to both children and adults. For children we have incorporated STEM elements (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) into traditional programs such as Family Storytime and we have created entirely new programs to enhance STEM skills specifically Wonder Makers for children ages eight to 12 to create a new science experiment each week and Code Makers for children ages 10 and up to learn Scratch computer programming. We will also be able to offer a special event filled with science and engineering challenges for children ages eight to 13 in collaboration with the University of Toronto on July 17 in the Minden library branch. All the programs are free and all needed equipment and materials are provided.

For adults Tech Time will be continuing over the summer by popular demand. Tech Time is a Q&A roundtable covering a different technology-related topic each week. Most library patrons bring their own device: a smartphone tablet iPad or laptop in order to follow along and practice but a limited number of devices are provided on a first come first served basis.

Most of Haliburton County Public Library’s programs are drop-in friendly and operate on a first come first served basis. The only programs requiring registration this summer are the “RAPP” (Reading and Parents program) for preschoolers in Dysart Wilberforce and Stanhope; Wonder Makers for ages eight to 12 in Dysart Minden Wilberforce and Stanhope; the University of Toronto engineering outreach event in Minden on July 17 for ages eight to 13; and Code Makers in Dysart and Minden for ages 10 and up. Registration is available online by going to the library’s website at haliburtonlibrary.ca and clicking the quick link: “Summer Programs” and then clicking “Register” for the program you are interested in.

For more details about any of our summer programs are available on our website: haliburtonlibrary.ca by phoning the Haliburton County Public Library at 705-457-2241 or emailing info@haliburtonlibrary.ca.