National Family Literacy Day is Thursday (Jan. 27), but events are being held in 樱桃视频all week long.
"It's important for people to realize that a lot of our literacy and learning happens within families," said Michelle Lebeau, regional literacy coordinator for the Capilano Region and Howe Sound.
The week starts with a Literacy Caf茅 at Chef Big D's on Cleveland Avenue on Tuesday (Jan. 25) at 6 p.m.
"We just need some performers," said Jane Ballance, the implementation manager of the Putting Children First Initiative. "We just decided to do this last week."
She needs people of all ages to read a story, poem, or dramatic work.
"I'd love to see a whole range of ages and activities there," Lebeau said. "I'd love to see kids right though adults doing that."
"Anything that's language or learning," Ballance said. "We're very open. It would be a shame to cancel it. It could be something that could catch on."
Contact Ballance at 604-815-9115 or at [email protected] for more information.
On National Family Literacy Day there is a Tea for Literacy at the 樱桃视频Public Library. It starts at 3:30 p.m. and goes to 5:30 p.m.
"The tea and caf茅 are meant to be opportunities for people to celebrate their literacy skills and abilities," Lebeau said.
Diana Twiss, the Capilano Regional Representative for Literacy BC, will be the master of ceremonies, and Alison Sturton, the acting children's librarian for 樱桃视频Public Library is presenting information about the Every Child Read program. The program was developed by the American Library Association, and teaches preschool caregivers how to develop pre-reading skills in children.
Jeanette Joe, the elementary coordinator with Xit'olocw Community School, and Deanne Zeidler, the speech language pathologist for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, will talk about community literacy in Mount Currie. They will highlight specific initiatives, and show a Knowledge Network documentary about some of the literacy work initiated in Mount Currie.Attendees are asked to RSVP for the tea by Jan. 25 at 604-892-5322 or [email protected].
The big event is a Scrabble literacy tournament at the library on Jan. 29 starting at 9:30 a.m.
"It's a really fun event," Maureen Painter, the library director said. It's also the main funding raising activity for literacy programs at the library and college.
Individuals can sign up for $20 or teams of four and under for $30. Pledges are also collected. The fee includes a guaranteed three rounds of Scrabble, a light lunch and refreshments.
The profits are split between literacy programs at the library and the college. On March 27 2004, the tournament raised $773, and the tournament winners were Rich Craig in the adult category and Dumont Omensoo in the children category.
There was another tournament in the first week of September, but it only raised $114.
"It was too close to school going back and it just didn't take off," Painter said.
For more information about the tournament, contact the library at 604-892-3110.
