BONNYVILLE – On Saturday, the Bonnyville Municipal Library hosted indoor and outdoor activities from 12 to 2 p.m. to celebrate Family Literacy Day.
“Family Literacy Day happens across the country every year on Jan. 27 and we always like to do some kind of celebration on whatever Saturday is closest because it's easier for families to get out,” explained Kat Eliason, a programmer at the Bonnyville Municipal Library.
The library offered activities from a life-sized Connect Four game, a bean-bag-toss and a button making station indoors, to a Story Walk activity set up outside.
“FCSS loaned us some of their large outdoor games, but we have them in the library... we also have a button maker so people can get creative – it's really just about getting families out and about enjoying each other while celebrating literacy,” she said.
The theme picked for this year’s Family Literacy Day by ABC Life Literacy Canada was to “Embrace the outdoors” and get outside, which is what the Bonnyville library did.
“This story walk lends itself really well to that and we have family goodie bags and on those goodie bags, there's a little outdoor winter Bingo and some outdoor winter literacy-based and family-based activities inside,” described Eliason.
A Story Walk is a book that is printed onto signs and participants go for a walk between the pages. The story walk will remain up until Feb. 3, she noted.
“In the summer, we also had a Story Walk up, so it's gaining momentum in the community. There's a lot of people who really like it,” Eliason said, adding, the library is always offering programming for all ages.
“All of that (information) is always up to date on our website, whether it's Story Time for the babies and preschooler ages with their parents, or an after school drop-in program.”
Eliason also hinted at an upcoming after-school program that will give participants the chance to design a custom tote bag with iron-on vinyl. Those taking part can also bring in a T-shirt that they want to customize as well.
