Learn to ‘be green’ together on Family Literacy Day

WELLINGTON COUNTY  – Library branches and schools in Wellington County and Guelph are hosting events on Jan. 27 for Family Literacy Day. 

This year’s theme is “Let’s be green together,” and aims to get families  looking into more green and sustainable daily habits such as using less electricity, recycling, reusing items and carpooling.

Family Literacy Day has been an annual day of literacy-related activities since its conception in 1999. 

Over the years, both schools and libraries across Canada have taken part in the initiative, creating literacy activities for youth.  

Library activities

This year Family Literacy Day falls on a Monday, however that hasn’t stopped local library branches from organizing lots of activities.  

“We have a number of programs happening in the week leading up to Family Literacy Day to support this important initiative,” said Wellington County information services librarian Danielle Drimmie.  

Library events include:

– Crafting Pictures with Clay at the Hillsburgh library branch on Jan. 23 at 4:30pm. Participating families will learn to create pictures with clay in a virtual visit with children’s book illustrator Barbara Reid; 

– candy chemistry workshop at the Fergus library branch on Jan. 24 at 2pm. Participating families will explore scientific principles using candy;

– Lego building challenge workshop at the Drayton library branch on Jan. 24 at 2:30pm. Youth are invited to put their imagination to the test and build something new;

– Dog Man party at the Arthur library branch on Jan. 24 at 2pm. Youth can check out the Dog Man graphic novels and participate in themed activities and crafts; and 

– all library branches will be offering themed drop-in activities on Jan. 27 such as a recycling-themed scavenger hunt, themed bingo, drawing activities, and more. 

 School activities 

Sacred Heart Catholic School in Rockwood will be hosting a “tournament of books” which will see every class read two different picture books every day and vote on their favourite. 

The winning book will move onto the next bracket until one book remains.