Cochrane Public Library launched its summer reading program yesterday (June 17).

For the past two summers the library has been actively promoting the TD Summer Reading Club which encourages kids of all ages, interests, and abilities to keep reading throughout summer break.

Andrea Johnston, Program Librarian at the Cochrane Public Library says the program helps prevent a regression in literacy skills. "The TD Summer Reading Club is a nation-wide initiative to get kids excited about reading all summer long! Did you know that children who do not read over the summer can lose up to an entire grade level of reading and comprehension skills?"

Johnston shares more and more youth are joining the program each and every summer. "Last year we had over 350 kids sign up. The year previous, we had 72. We’re hoping to blast these numbers out of the water this year with at least 500 kids signing up to read over the summer."

The beauty of the program is kids can participate no matter where their summer holiday takes them... at home, on vacation, or in the library.

Johnston, shares the best way to register is at the library but you can also register on line. "You can sign-up through our website but just make sure you come to the library afterwards to receive your official TD Summer Reading Club notebook. For every page you fill with reading (it could be minutes read, chapters, pages, reading with mom and dad, books, etc.), you’ll win a prize, if you fill the entire notebook you can enter your name into the grand prize draw. 

To register or find out more about the program go here.