The Fort Frances Public Library’s summer programs once again kept kids busy while they were out of school, with something to do for children of all ages.
“We offered a wide variety of activities,” children’s librarian Andrea Avis said. “They were very successful, very well-attended.”
Regular weekly programs like arts and crafts, storytime, “Toddler Time,” and “Imagination Station” brought in children from 0 to 10.
Avis said the two new events this year—the two-day cartooning workshop and the Kids Write workshop—were successful in drawing in the 10- to 12-year-old crowd.
“That’s an age group we have to tempt back [to the library],” Avis said. “We’re going to look into how to expand that for next year.”
The “Bee a reader” program got 150 kids reading this summer, with 30 kids reading between 10 and 19 books, and 95 kids reading 20 books or more.
All children who read at least 10 books received a certificate of merit, and those who read 20 or more received a watch.
The “Teen Reading Wave” program encouraged teenagers to read by offering weekly draws for CDs and movie passes. Avis said 15 teens read 120 books this summer.
Both reading programs were sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club.
In addition to the special summer programing, regular tutoring also continued through the summer, with 48 kids participating.
High school student Chelsea Green gave tutoring in French, sponsored by Canadian Parents for French.
This year’s children’s programs were organized by students Jason Empey, Ashley Ryan, Heather Pattison, Chelsea Green, Tracy Treflin, and Carleigh Pawlikowski.
“They did an excellent job of planning and running the activities,” Avis said.
The library’s fall and winter programs this year will include “Mother Goose,” every Thursday at 10 a.m. beginning Sept. 18 for children 0-24 months and their parents or caregivers. Children will learn lap rhymes and finger rhymes.
“Mother Goose” is a free program, but registration is required.
Family Storytime will be every Monday at 6:30 p.m., and one Saturday each month, beginning Oct. 4.
Storytime for children three to six will be on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and at 2 p.m., and on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 16.
French Storytime will take place Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., and Ojibway Storytime will take place every second Monday at 2 p.m. beginning Sept. 15.
“Tales for 2’s” is designed for children who will be two years old by Sept. 1. The program includes parent participation, and will take place Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
Some programs require registration. Call the children’s library at 274-9870 for more information.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
