Let's face it - there's nothing quite like a sizzling, summer page-turner. No matter the reader's age, good books strengthen and support reading skills. Just ask the kids taking part in Summer Reading Clubs at libraries throughout B.C.

Today, Education Minister Peter Fassbender talked to some of those kids at the Richmond Public Library. Fassbender got a first-hand look and listen to what some kids are reading this summer.

The Summer Reading Club encourages children to visit local libraries and expand their reading skills in July and August. All public libraries in B.C. take part in the program. Each year, nearly 80,000 young learners participate with a goal of reading a minimum of 20 minutes a day. Studies have shown that early development of summer reading habits can play a significant role in helping form a foundation for academic success.

This year's Summer Reading Club theme is Up, Up and Away! Kids throughout B.C. are invited to take to the skies, voyage through space, and follow authors to other worlds. Go ahead, get lost in a book.

Quote:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

"Summer reading keeps kids of all ages engaged in topics and stories they love, while helping to maintain and expand their reading level. This summer, just by reading 20 minutes a day, kids taking part in the program will amass a minimum of 35,000 hours of collective reading."

Quick Facts:

• There are 71 public library systems in B.C. with 243 library locations serving more than 360 communities.

• Fifty per cent of British Columbians regularly use their public library.

• In 2012, circulation of physical and electronic materials in B.C. public libraries was over 57 million items.

• There were nearly 31 million in-person visits last year across all libraries, plus another almost 25 million visits to library websites, for a total of almost 56 million visits, up 30 per cent since 2008.

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested more than $1.6 billion in literacy and literacy-related projects and programs including pre-literacy and early learning programs.

Learn More:

Summer Reading Club: http://www.kidssrc.ca

BC Libraries: http://www.bclibraries.ca

BC's Education Plan: WWW.BCEDPLAN.CA

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

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

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

Summer reading tips for families

The B.C. Summer Reading Club, with support from the British Columbia Library Association, your local public library, Libraries and Literacy, and the Ministry of Education, has simple tips to encourage summer reading.

• Establish a regular reading time for all members of the family.

• Help your child set a realistic summer reading goal. This could include reading a certain number of books per week, reading for at least 20 minutes every day, or exploring books of a particular topic.

• Share stories as dinner conversation or before bedtime.

• Encourage your child to share and read favourite stories with you.

• Read to your child. Young readers can understand far more advanced vocabulary and complex stories than they are able to read.

• Have your child read aloud to you.

• Appreciate all books your child shows interest in, no matter the subject material or reading level.

• Take your child to your local public library to attend Summer Reading Club programs.

Summer reading helps all students retain and strengthen their reading level, making the transition to back to school more comfortable. Year-long learning can be found in books.

Media Contact:

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