Lambton County Library launches annual Summer Reading Program

Wyoming, ON - Lambton County Library cardholders can blast off into the 2022 Summer Reading Program starting Monday, July 4. The Summer Reading Program is a six week long initiative that promotes reading and the maintenance of literacy skills for children who are on summer break from school, and to encourage reading as a hobby amongst adults.

“This year’s Summer Reading Program theme is A Universe of Stories, and we’ve planned a variety of opportunities for the community to read throughout the summer and participate in unique programs,” says Vanitia Campbell, Public Services Coordinator, Youth. “The more registrants read and participate, the more chances they will have to win amazing prizes.”

The Summer Reading Program is free and available for Lambton County Library cardholders, who can register starting July 4, at any Lambton County Library location during operating hours. Kids ages 0 -12 will receive an age-specific registration package (0-4 years, 5-8 years or 9-12 years) in French or English which will include a passport, program instructions, stickers, supplies for a DIY activities, activity sheets and a recommended reading list. For every five books read, kids will earn one free book prize to a maximum of three book prizes.

Through July and August, participants can take part in activities, games, challenges and set reading goals for themselves. Books can be borrowed at any library location, and eBooks are available through digital platforms found at www.lclibrary.ca.

Online activities, games and challenges will open on July 4, 2022 at www.lclibrary.ca/srp. They include:

Out of this World Good Deeds

Be on the lookout for superstars in the community completing good deeds. Whether it’s a family member, friend, acquaintance or someone you admire in your community, when you spot a superstar performing a good deed, submit their name and good deed at www.lclibrary.ca/srp for a chance to win a prize at the end of the Summer Reading Program. You will earn one ballot for each submission, and heroes will also earn one ballot for each good deed submitted on their behalf.

There will be one prize for each age group:

• Kids – telescope
• Teens – telescope
• Adults – a subscription box

Galactic Scavenger Hunt

Each week of the Summer Reading Program, you can look at your local library’s windows / doors or the library’s website at www.lclibrary.ca/srp for a clue leading you to a secret letter. Over the summer there will be six different clues, and these six letters will spell out a secret code word. Once you have discovered the secret code word, you can submit it online at www.lclibrary.ca/srp for your chance to win one of five space-themed LEGO kits.

StoryWalk

Get outside this summer and visit the permanent and temporary StoryWalks across Lambton County. At each StoryWalk location there is a secret word on the last page of the book. Participants can submit the secret word at www.lclibrary.ca/srp to earn one ballot for every StoryWalk visited for a chance to win a star registered in your name. StoryWalks can be found at:

• Ausable River Cut Conservation Area, Port Franks
• Port Franks Community Centre, Port Franks
• Bridgeview Park, Petrolia
• Wildwood Park, Bright’s Grove
• Canatara Park, Sarnia
• Mooretown Sports Complex, Mooretown

Adult Reading Challenge

Adults across Lambton County can get involved by registering and reporting their reading for the Summer Reading Program reading challenge. Adults will earn one ballot for every book read for a chance to win one of five prizes of $100.00 at a Sarnia-Lambton business of their choice. Each week between July 4 and August 14 new puzzles and riddles will be posted for adults to complete. One ballot will be earned for each week and a winner will be drawn the week of August 15.

Teen Cosmic Reading Challenge

Teens across Lambton County can also get involved by participating in the Teen Cosmic Reading Challenge. Teens are encouraged to set reading goals and report the number of days of which they read for a minimum of 15 minutes. For every 14 days reported, teens will earn one free book to a maximum of three book prizes.

In addition to the reading challenge, there is a Summer Activities Checklist challenge which includes tasks like operating a robotic telescope, keeping a night sky journal and watching a meteor shower. After completion of the checklist, teens will be entered in a draw to win one of six $50 Amazon gift cards.

In addition to online activities, Lambton County Library will be hosting a variety of programs across Lambton County. All programs can be found at www.lclibrary.ca/calendar. Featured programs include:

Star Gazing Parties

Explore the galaxy with the Sarnia Astronomical Society as they give visitors a tour of the night sky, demonstrate astrophotography techniques, and show different celestial bodies using telescopes and projection screens. Both parties will take place during the Perseids Meteor Shower.

• Saturday, July 16, 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. - Mike Weir Park, Sarnia
• Saturday, August 13, 9:00 – 11:00 p.m - Oil Museum of Canada, Oil Springs

The Celestial Bear: The Six Nations’ Night Sky – Planetarium

Learn about Indigenous astronomy in this fascinating show that blends local culture, history and modern-day astronomy that shares the Six Nations’ sky lore and language through traditional Indigenous night-sky stories. With narration and visuals by a live presentation and pre-recorded excerpts (in English, Mohawk and Cayuga), learn
about the story of the bear and the brothers and how it is retold every year with the rotating patterns in the night sky. See the same stars with a completely different understanding and appreciation!

Friday, August 5 - 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Sarnia Library Theatre

This show was collaboratively-produced by members of the Six Nations, McMaster’s Indigenous Studies Program, and the McCallion Planetarium.

Astronaut Training Camp

See if you have what it takes to train like an astronaut. Test your agility, balance, strength, and speed in the astronaut obstacle course, create your own model of the solar system, hone your astronaut vision with the solar system scavenger hunt, practice the art of using an extendable arm with astronaut ball sorting, and take an out of this world photo with a green screen at the time of registration and choose your space background. When you complete your training, you will be able to take home a copy of your photo. For ages 5-10. The program will be hosted outdoors, so please plan for the weather. Time and dates include:

• Sarnia Library, Wednesday, July 6 - 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Bright's Grove Library, Tuesday, July 26 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Mooretown Library, Wednesday, July 27 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Victoria Park - Petrolia, Tuesday, August 9 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Forest Library, Wednesday, August 10 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Superstar Story Time

Children ages 3 - 8 are invited to join a local superstar as they read their favourite stories and talk about their work that makes a difference to residents of Lambton County. Local superstars include:

• Tracy Pound, Literacy Lambton Thursday, July 7 - 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Sarnia Library
• Cesare Dicesare, Retired Paramedic Thursday, July 7 – 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Forest Library
• Steve McGrail, Retired Teacher Thursday, July 28 – 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Petrolia Library
• St. Clair Fire Department Thursday, August 4 – 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. – Corunna Library
• Irene Barriault and Jana Lorbetski, Canadian Coast Guard Thursday, August 11 – 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. – Wyoming Library

Learn with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Learn about our planet and how to protect it with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority. Myra Spiller will take participants outside for a story and an outdoor activity. Participants will have the opportunity to discover how the Authority manages the region’s natural environment and develop an enthusiasm for our natural heritage.

• Wednesday, July 6 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Brigden Library
• Thursday, July 7 – 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Bright’s Grove Library

For more information about Lambton County Library's Summer Reading Program visit www.lclibrary.ca/srp and follow @LCLibraryca on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information on how to become a Lambton County Library cardholder visit www.lclibrary.ca/apply.

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