Family Literacy Day celebrated at the Library

By Care Lucas

On January 27, Norfolk County Public Library (NCPL) opened its doors for Family Literacy Day. The annual event, which was first established in 1999 by ABC Life Literacy Canada, has been celebrated by the NCPL for as long as its virtual library co-ordinator Belinda Smith can remember.

“Family Literacy Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family,” Smith said. “The goal of an event like this is awareness and education.”

Smith said it’s easy for families to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of busy schedules and not set aside time to connect or build skills as a family. “Having a day where we draw attention to the importance of not just early literacy for children, but the various forms of literacy and how it’s important at any age, can be a reminder and invite healthy changes,” she said.

Each year, the NCPL plans a theme for Family Literacy Day. This year was Learn to Be Green Together. Smith said the idea is to challenge families to learn new ways to be green by reducing their electricity use, commuting together more often, and reusing items. She said being green together is a fun way for families to learn and be kind to the environment.

The NCPL encouraged families to drop in and enjoy green-themed stories, crafts, activities, and games. The Port Rowan branch had a lot planned and the library’s mascot, Branches, was at the Simcoe branch. Smith believes the theme will generate important conversation.

The event puts the spotlight on family literacy, something Smith said is important to the community. She said families can promote literacy at home through reading, discovery and play. “Get curious and have fun with that curiosity,” she said. “Encourage questions and conversation, reading and researching.”

According to the ABC Life Literacy Canada’s website, “Taking time every day to read or do a learning activity with children is crucial to a child’s development, improving a child’s literacy skills dramatically and can help a parent improve their skills as well.”

Smith also encourages families to make the library a part of their family life and routines. “Everyone in every home should have their own library card so they can sign out books, movies, maker kits and have access to our MakerSpaces and online resources,” she said. She said a lot of people don’t realize the various forms of literacy there are. “Google ‘types of literacy’ and you’ll see,” she said.

In addition to Family Literacy Day, the NCPL is finalizing the entry dates and details for the 2025 Norfolk Literary Prize writing contest which they will be updating soon. They will also be recruiting more judges for the contest this year. Smith said anyone who is interested can reach out to her directly.

Smith said, “Hosting a program and event like this can inspire parents (and their kids) to take what they learn and experience at the library and recreate it at home.”

Originally printed in The Good News, February 2025.