INNISFAIL – For two decades literacy has been a family affair.
This year marks a special milestone for Family Literacy Day that's celebrated nationally every year on Jan. 27.
This year, the 3rd annual Family Literacy Festival in Innisfail takes place at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 26.
“This year is the 20th anniversary of Family Literacy Day,” said Sara Kepper, library manager. “It’s exciting.”
The event will feature special guests, activities and a hotdog lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
As organizers do every year, the event will focus on the entire family and will incorporate activities for children, teens and adults, noted Kepper, adding that will include both traditional and newer forms of literacy.
“We’ll have two Oculus Rift (virtual reality machines). They’ll be set up in the foyer for kids to use,” said Kepper, noting other activities include teen tech challenges, tinker shack and blocks, story sculpture, space sensory play and games.
Literacy has evolved over the years to include a number of changes, said Kepper.
“Over the 20 years, in the library field and through literacy, we’ve seen lots of changes. There’s more incorporation of technology,” she said. “I think that we have to start bringing that more into our programming, in order to stay relevant and in order to stay current,” explained Kepper. “That is a huge component of literacy.
“Sensory play is also a big thing for literacy (with younger children),” she added.
The library has had a great turnout for the Family Literacy Festival over the past two years, noted Kepper, adding they are expecting another great show of support from the community.
“Every year it’s a big draw. I think we had between 130 and 150 (people) last year,” she said.
“Town council is coming out again to help prepare the hotdogs. We also have some special guests (lined up) to read to children at 11 a.m.”
Kepper noted the annual event is a collaborative effort between the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning, the Innisfail Public Library, Envision Children Innisfail and Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).
“It’s (a day) to celebrate literacy as a family,” Kepper concluded.
