Plenty of summer programs on offer at Lac La Biche County Libraries

Throughout the summer months, people can take part in the Summer Reading Program, and do arts and crafts.

LAC LA BICHE - With summer in the Lac La Biche region so far being a frequently wet affair, folks may be looking for some inside activities for those rainy, damp days. Throughout the summer months, Lac La Biche County Libraries is offering various programs at its branches in the hamlets of Lac La Biche and Plamondon. Both branches participate in the Northern Lights Library System Summer Reading Program, explained Eunhye Cho, Library Director of Lac La Biche County Libraries.

During the summer many programs are centered around the Summer Reading Program. “By coordinating with the library system and other member libraries, we can offer activities that encourage interaction, friendly competition, and community engagement across the region,” Cho said. The Summer Reading Program is comprised of different components that include the Summer Reading Challenge, Friday15 Challenge, Chalk Art Contest, and the Swag Swap Program.

Through the Summer Reading Challenge participants are able to track their reading throughout the summer either by using the library Beanstalk app or paper reading logs. With the Friday15 Challenge, libraries compete against one another for the title of Most Readerly Community. “Participants read for at least 15 minutes on Fridays and submit their participation through an online form,” Cho said.

The Chalk Art Contest involves community members creating and submitting chalk art for a system-wide contest, while participants in the Swag Swap Program exchange handmade swag times once during the summer. “They will be collected in July, and exchanged items will arrive in August,” Cho stated. During the summer, the Plamondon branch will offer scavenger hunts and a chalk art contest.

The Stuart MacPherson Public Library in Lac La Biche has a variety of activities on offer, including ‘Summer Take N’ Makes (self-directed craft kits), the Summer Literacy Program (participants receive one-on-one tutoring from summer literacy tutors), along with the Bracelet Program. “Participants can collect and add new charms to their bracelets each week,” Cho said. There are also weekly story time sessions for young children, crafts, chess-themed activities and games, along with a unique kids’ event called ‘Teddy Bear Sleepover.’

“Children leave their stuffed animals at the library overnight for a fun themed event,” explained Cho. While many of the programs offered by Lac La Biche County Libraries are indoor-focused, there are things for people to do outside on nice days as well. “We also encourage community members to explore our outdoor collections, board game collection, and yard game collection to take advantage of the summer weather,” Cho stated.

As for how many people take part in library programs during the summer months, that, according to Cho, varies from year to year. “Last year, library had 570 participants in summer programs,” she confirmed. These programs, according to Cho, are beneficial to youngsters when they are off school until September.

“One of the primary goals of our summer programming is to help prevent the “summer slide,” where children can lose reading and other academic skills over the summer break due to lack of practice,” she explained. “Programs such as the Summer Reading Challenge and Summer Literacy Program are designed to encourage ongoing literacy development.” Other programs, including the Take N' Makes, Chalk Art Contest, Swag Swaps, and reading challenges provide flexible, self-paced activities that participants can enjoy on their own schedules.

“Our in-person programs focus on social engagement and community connection, bringing together people with shared interests or within similar age groups and creating opportunities for learning, interaction, and fun,” she explained.