In 2017, the Prince George Public Library offered nearly 350 hours of free tutoring and Prince George youth borrowed over 16,500 items from the library each month.
The statistics are highlighted in the library’s annual Youth Services Report. The report, which is released annually to coincide with Family Literacy Day on January 27, summarizes the library’s contributions to literacy in the community.
Nearly 15,000 children and teens participated in programs at the library’s two branches last year and 5011 participated in programs at their schools, daycares or other community events. In addition to Homework Help, the library also offered 34 hours of coding classes, as well as hundreds of other programs for children and teens, including Pajama Storytime, Introduction to Creating Comics, Minecraft Fridays, and the Summer Reading Program. In June alone, 765 students visited the Bob Harkins Branch with their schools.
“Libraries are important learning spaces that aim to engage families. We want to offer a space that is not limited to just one age group, but rather a place that spans generations.” said Children’s Librarian, Kaitlyn Vecchio. “Families who attend our early literacy programs are preparing their young children for school readiness. School aged children and teens attending after school or summer reading programs are obtaining free and fun literacy support throughout the year.”
Fifteen per cent of the library’s 54,921 active library cardholders are 18 years or younger.
To celebrate Family Literacy Day, the library will once again host Munsch Mania for children ages 0-9 at the Bob Harkins Branch on Saturday from 1-2:30 p.m. The Youth Services Report is available on the library’s website at www.pgpl.ca.
Family Literacy Day® is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held annually to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.
