AMHERST - Things are heating up at libraries across the county in anticipation of Agent 009.
That's this year's theme for the TD Summer Reading Club, happening at Cumberland Regional Library branches throughout the county.
"Our registration opens on June 22 and the Four Fathers Memorial Library is having its kick-off event on June 25 where we'll be decorating the library, playing games, reading a story and a whole lot more," said Susanne Williams, summer reading club co-ordinator.
Every Thursday morning throughout the summer, the Amherst branch will have a reading club event, as well as a movie day during July and August.
Other libraries in the county will be having events as well, so get in touch with your local branch.
Beth Clinton, chief librarian of Cumberland Regional Library, says the library will be out on the road a bit this summer, with readers putting on puppet shows and crafts at both the Four Fathers Festival and HarbourFest in Pugwash.
Registration takes place until the program finishes on Aug. 28, and those interested can call their local branches to register and pick up a log book, along with an activity book full of puzzles and games, and an Agent 009 poster.
For every two books read, participants will receive a prize, as well as a ballot for great end of summer draws. Prizes will include posters, stickers, pencils, bookmarks, bracelets, books and more.
The summer reading club is designed to motivate children to read for pleasure, to develop their curiosity and stimulate their imagination in the summer months.
Children aged five to 12 can sign up on their own, while children aged three and four can sign up with a reading buddy, such as a parent or babysitter.
Last year, 386 participants across the county read 3,279 books - 196 of those readers were from Amherst, reading 1,712 books.
"Also part of this program is the Teen Summer Reading Club," said Clinton.
In that club, teenagers read a combined 1,306 hours during the summer county-wide.
"That's impressive," added Clinton.
For more information on or to register for the program, call or drop into your local library branch.
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