It was party time for 50 youngsters and their parents at the Millicent Library on Saturday morning as the annual Summer Reading Club came to a close.
The formula of games, food, face painting and prizes proved to be popular.
The nation-wide club was established by the Australian Library Association around 15 years ago as a reading promotional activity and Millicent librarian Janice Nitschke and her staff have been keen supporters ever since.
Ms Nitschke said the number of participants at Millicent was returning to normal levels after dipping during the COVID pandemic.
She said there were 68 participants over the summer of 2022/23 and they ranged from pre-schoolers to secondary students.
“Summer Reading Club participants could read what they like over the months of December and January,” Ms Nitschke said.
“Our tally at Millicent was 1175 books.
“There was a lucky drawer for a prize over every week of summer.
“At the party on Saturday, every child received a gift bag and a certificate.
“There was also an overall prize for the child who read the most books.
“The Summer Reading Club is all about the encouragement of reading.
“Literacy underpins a child’s development.
“Competent digital literacy users require reading and interpretive skills.
“Research shows the benefits of reading to a child for at least 10 minutes per day.”
