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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 12, 2008 - 43 Public support helps keep library on top hilst bidding farewell to the amazing projects and programs of 2008 at Oakville Public Library, we can look forward to what is in store this coming year. In terms of programming and services, our library receives its core funding from municipal tax dollars, but our community support, year after year, ensures our programs funded by donations are maintained and developed. One of the many projects reliant on fundraised dollars is our hugely popular TD Summer Reading Club, benefiting thousands of children in Oakville during the summer months. Research states our children need to read at least six books throughout the summer just to maintain the same reading level they had at the end of the previous school year. Our Summer Reading Club is an excellent tool to engage children with fun books and ensure they have ample opportunities to develop their reading skills. Whether your child loves to read or is a little less enthusiastic, our Summer Reading Club invigorates them and rewards their individual achievements. In summer 2008, more than 4,400 children benefitted from attending this program at a cost of approximately $10 per child. Funding for TD Summer Reading also enables OPL to hire summer students at each branch to promote the program within our elementary schools in June and then work with children who join. Every year, our numbers are increasing and thanks to our sponsors and community W support, we are able to help thousands of little readers reach their own personal goals. We hope that this year will be no different. Our Every Child Ready to Read program is also heavily reliant on funding from our generous Oakville community for the coming year. Research points to the immense benefits of experiencing early literacy skills for children from birth to six years. OPL offers a Parent Guide, highlighting early literacy skills and how parents can incorporate these skills into everyday interactions with their child. Public funding can ensure that the Every Child Ready to Read message reaches our families in Oakville and empowers parents to help their children. Many of OPL's teen services and programs require public donations to turn our teenager's ideas for workshops/clubs into realities. Your support can engage our Oakville teens and offer them the opportunities to MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER THE WINNERS ARE: From left, Grade 11/12 judge Rod Jerred, Grade 7/8 third place winner Angela MacKay, Grade 11/12 first place winner Eleni Levreault, Grade 11/12 third place winner Michelle Joseph, Grade 9/10 second place winner Elizabeth MacKay, Grade 7/8 first place winner Sam Doyle, Grade 11/12 second place winner Nicholas Ojapalo, Grade 7/8 second place winner Nathan Greene, Grade 10/11 first place winner Laura Johnson and Grade 7/8 judge Lynne Scott pose for a picture during the fourth Oakville Public Library's annual Teen Writing Contest Write2Xpress award ceremony. shine within our Teen Book Club, Youth Support your library and make a difference to Online program, Write 2Xpress writing the lives of many families in Oakville, includcompetition and our amazing Teen Writing ing your own. The library welcomes and Workshops. encourages your donations, so to begin your The library's vibrant and dynamic Teen contribution or to find out more about the Book Club is always filled to capacity. Teens projects you can help fund, contact Kate eagerly participate in session after session, Palmer, Development Officer at 905-815-2028. sharing their thoughts and opinions; it It is easy to donate online, visit our webserves as a simple way of fulfilling our vision site at www.opl.on.ca/about/helping.php if of bringing people and ideas together. you wish to donate now. With your help, all these projects, and -- Submitted by the Oakville Public more, can be offered in the coming year. Library