Ready, set, read! HPL invites everyone to join the TD Summer Reading Club

Main photo: Let’s give reading a thumbs up! (From left) Drew Tulloch, Toby MacMillan, Cheryl MacMillan, Alaina MacMillan, Rueben MacMillan, Mayor Scott Aitchison, HPL board member David Purchase, HPL board chair Sue Dixon, and Cortney LeGros, HPL Coordinator: Outreach, Programs & Partnerships

There were robots and crafts and critters and, of course, lots and lots of books.

On Saturday, June 16, Huntsville Public Library (HPL) launched the annual TD Summer Reading Club with a day-long celebration. Eager readers who registered received a book bag and then enjoyed the festivities that included a Zoo to You show, face painting by Painted Kids, green screen and virtual reality fun, and an art station.

In 2017, 580 people read 4,784 books, said HPL board chair, Sue Dixon. “This year we want to make that number go up and we are counting on everybody to help us do that.”

Mayor Scott Aitchison challenged this year’s participants to read a total of at least 5,000 books.

Anyone who couldn’t make it there can still register to read and win prizes this summer. Drop by the library to register and get one ballot for each book that you read—ballots can be entered from July 3 to 15. There will be weekly draws as well as a grand prize in each category: a $100 gift card to Applause Toy Store for the Tots, a $100 Gift Card to Up North Games for the Kids, and a portable Bluetooth speaker for the Teens, all courtesy of the Rotary Club of North Muskoka. The grand prize for the adult category will be announced later.

Also watch the library website, huntsvillelibrary.ca, for details a variety of summer programs and events for kids, tweens, teens, and adults, including: Family Storytime in the Park, STEAM Activities, Maker Hour for Kids and Tweens, Minecraft, LEGO Builders, Virtual Reality with Play Station 4 VR (for ages 13+), drop in Chess Club for Tweens & Teens, Local History Walking Tour, Secret Garden, Crafternoons, Cook Book Club, and special performances.

Haritha Ramachandran (left) and Zoey Harrison have fun with robots

HPL board member David James heads into a virtual reality world

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