Imaginations ran wild today at the Vancouver Public Library for the launch of the first ever British Columbia Library Association's (BCLA) writing contest and the annual Summer Reading Club.

"Express Yourself! The BC Kids Writing Contest," was officially launched today by Vancouver-Fairview MLA Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid. The contest, open to 8-12 year-olds, encourages young writers to fire up their creativity and put pen to paper.

Jury members will look for creative and interesting entries that use six key words: Zest, Key, Dark, Book, Chair and Library. Winning entries will be announced in October during Library Month, and collected in a special publication.

Also greeting the arrival of summer is the Summer Reading Club, which encourages children across the Province to visit local libraries and expand their reading. Each year more than 85,000 participate at libraries with stickers, ribbons and medals awarded to those who reach their reading goals.

Quick Facts:

• Today, in celebration of 100+ years of library service, Dave Obee's "The Library Book: A History of Service to British Columbians," was released.
• The BCLA is a non-profit, independent, voluntary association made up of more than 800 members including librarians, library personnel, library trustees, other interested individuals, and institutions.
• Government provides a $20,000 grant annually to the BCLA for general administration in addition to funding specific programs and services.
• There are 243 public library facilities in more than 200 B.C. communities.
• In 2010-11 Government is providing $14 million to support public libraries in B.C.
• Overall, the Province has invested nearly $150 million in public libraries since 2001.
• Since September 2001, Government has invested nearly $1.5 billion in literacy-related initiatives for British Columbia.

Learn More:

• BCLA Writing Contest: http://expressyourself.bclibraries.ca/
• Summer Reading Club: http://www.kidssrc.ca/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963