Celebrating the power of reading with the library - Family Literacy Day
by Michelle Minnoch

January 27th is Family Literacy Day and the Innisfil Public Library is doing its part not just to promote how important reading is for children beginning in their early years, but to promote this well deserved day.

"Sequencing in stories, rhymes, all of these things help to build the brain," said Marilyn Pillar, Branch Manager at the Lakeshore Library.

Last year, Alcona Glen held a Family Literacy event entitled "Snuggle Up and Read" in which 90 parents and children from kindergarten to grade 3 participated in reading together and welcoming guest readers to the event, including Pathfinders, members of council and the principal. Those participating children received a free book, care of Scholastic Books and Saunders of Collingwood.

The event at Alcona Glen will be held this year on Tuesday, February 20th, and members of Paws to Read will be on hand to help out.

This year to celebrate the day at the Lakeshore Branch, there will be a giant family board game in the library in which parents and their children will get to advance to the next letter once answering a question. The Lakeshore Branch will hold its event on Saturday, January 27th, and events will also be held at the Stroud and Cookstown Branches (check dates and times for pre-registration info).

Originally starting at ABC Canada, Family Literacy Day encourages parents and their children to get together and read, with participation. Ideas on the website include making a recipe, with one reading the instructions, another measuring ingredients; get the family to wear an old pair of pants, and write on them your favourite line from a story or poem; build a story together; travel the world by using your library card to check out books from all corners of the world (more ideas can be found on www.abc-canada.org/fld /fl_wacky_ideas.shtml).

Pillar says the libraries have been successful in pairing up with the Early Years Centre. The upcoming Tickles and Tunes event starting at the Lakeshore Branch on February 7th is going to be put on in partnership with the EYC.

Another successful program featured at the Innisfil Public Libraries, with help from the Friends of the Library, is the Books for Babies program.

"This program promotes literacy, starting with the very young," said Pillar, who adds that reading to your children, right off the bat, is an excellent way to keep the child's interest in books and learning.

The Books for Babies program is for babies six months and under and a package is presented to the baby, including an age appropriate book and three flyers for mom; A Parent's Guide, Active Rhymes, and Book Suggestions for children ages 0 - 24 months. Books for Babies was created to encourage lifelong reading by introducing books and the library as young as possible.

"Rhymes and songs are very important for the babies, they go a long way in helping them learn," Pillar said.