Tuesday June 30, 2020 ~ VANCOUVER ISLAND [ Link for Teen Summer Challenge was updated July 2, 2020 ]
by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News
In past years the summer reading club at libraries around Vancouver Island meant having contact at a local branch. This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the action has shifted to being entirely online.
“Get ready for a summer filled with great books, fun activities, and free online events,” it was stated in a Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) release today about the launch of their annual summer reading clubs for kids, teens and adults in an online format.
“While the effects of COVID-19 still impact our service delivery, being able to offer this free programming virtually means we can continue to engage and interact with our communities, and at the same time promote literacy and help build reading skills,” says Melissa Legacy, who is the Director of Library Services and Programming with VIRL.
“We have some spectacular online events lined up nearly every week this summer, sure to entertain all ages.”
Summer Reading Club (SRC)
The Summer Reading Club (SRC) is a province-wide initiative sponsored by the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) and local public libraries, with support from the Libraries Branch, Ministry of Education, and CUPE BC. The program encourages children to connect with the library to help build and maintain their reading skills during the summer months.
This year’s SRC theme, Explore Our Universe, invites kids up to 12 years of age to launch their imaginations into orbit as they read all summer long.
Registration opened online on June 29 and runs until Saturday August 15, with The Kerplunks performing a special kick-off live online on July 2 at 2 p.m.
Additional events include a Mario Kart 8 Tournament, a Q&A with astronomer Rachel Wang, an interview with Dr. Jay Cullen of the University of Victoria, and much more!
Parents can register their families by visiting https://bcsrc.ca/ and find our complete event schedule at virl.bc.ca/summer-reading-club or on our VIRL SRC Facebook group.
Teen Summer Challenge (TSC)
The Teen Summer Challenge (TSC) is back! This is a program for teens ages 12 to 18 can complete out-of-this-world tasks and have a chance to win a prize! TSC encourages teens to critically think through a series of tasks while learning new skills, reading, and experimenting.
The complete task list and instructions will soon be available at Teen Summer Challenge. The challenge runs until Monday August 31.
Adult Summer Reading Challenge (ASRC)
Once again, VIRL offers adults of all ages a chance to take part in a few fun challenges and enter for a chance to win a prize as they read their way through summer.
During the Adult Summer Reading Challenge (ASRC), each participant will access the reading challenges at virl.bc.ca/adult-summer-reading-challenge/ After the participants complete a challenge, they can contact info@virl.bc.ca or call 1-877-415-8475 to alert staff of their completion.
Each completed challenge will enter the participant in a draw for a chance to win a prize at the end of the program.
There is no official registration required. Customers who do not have access to a computer or Internet may call 1-877-415-VIRL (8475) to request the challenge be mailed to their home.
ASRC runs from June 29 to August 15.
VIRL branches:
There are 39 physical branches in the Vancouver Island Regional Library system, including Sidney-North Islands, Sooke, Tofino,
Nanaimo, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River.
Their head office is in Nanaimo. The VIRL board is comprised of representatives from municipal councils around the island where their libraries are located (outside of the Greater Victoria area).