Jul 19, 2021
We’re excited to announce this summer’s draw!
Kids can participate in our Summer Reading Club Draw for a chance to win one $50 gift card to the bookstore of their choice (Octopus Books or Librairie du Soleil) AND one $15 gift card to the CineplexStore. There will be 39 prize packs to win.
We’re offering this draw as part of the TD Summer Reading Club, Canada’s annual summer reading program. TD SRC takes place in public libraries across Canada each year to support continuity in children’s literacy over the summer months. Studies have shown that kids can lose significant knowledge in reading over the summer, and that encouraging reading for pleasure does much to combat this so-called “summer slide.”
To participate, kids aged 0 to 12 need to track the days they read over the summer. You can do this on our ballot card, on your own calendar, in an app - whatever works for you! To receive a printed ballot or visit one of our library branches across Ottawa or one of the bookmobiles stops. Between August 23 and 29, enter the contest online using the electronic form that you will find on the Summerland webpage, or submit your printed ballot in person at one of our library branches across Ottawa or one of the bookmobiles stops. Each child should submit their ballot one time only.
We look forward to receiving your ballots at summer’s end. In the meantime, visit our Summerland page to find a free library program to attend this Summer.
Happy Summer Reading!
FAQ: Summer Reading Club Draw
Where do I get the ballot?
You will find printed ballots at one of our library branches across Ottawa or one of the bookmobiles stops. If you prefer to enter online, an electronic form will be available on the Summerland webpage between August 23 and 29.
Do I need to be a member of the library to enter?
Yes. If you don’t have a card, visit our Get a Library Card page to get one – it's free! Anyone who lives in Ottawa or attends school in Ottawa can get a card.
How does my child enter for the draw?
Track the days your child reads over the summer. You can do this by visiting one of our library branches across Ottawa or one of the bookmobiles stops to receive a printed ballot or by using your own calendar.
Between August 23 and 29, enter the contest online using the electronic form the Summerland webpage, or submit your printed ballot in person at one of our library branches across Ottawa or one of the bookmobiles stops.
Can I receive a PDF of the ballot by email?
Yes! Please send your request at programs@biblioottawalibrary.ca, and we will send it to you.
Does it count if I read to my child, or we read together?
Yes! We highly encourage you to do this! Listening to stories being read is beneficial in so many ways for your children! You may already know that reading to your baby, toddler or preschooler helps build vocabulary and pre-reading skills. Well, this also works for your older children! Studies show that children who listen to books being read have an improved vocabulary, write well and do well overall in school. Reading to your child also reinforces your bond with them. From your child’s point of view, they are spending a privileged moment with you, and they love spending time with you! It is also a great way to encourage discussion, either about the stories or characters you’re discovering together, or about a specific topic you want them to consider. Discussions like these can help build their empathy and their understanding of the world. With your help, they can discover new authors, new genres or old classics. This improves their literacy skills; they will be more fluent when they read; and you will also foster their love of reading. With your support they will be more likely to keep reading on their own.
What if my child wasn’t able to read during quite a few days this summer – can we still enter in the draw?
Yes! No problem at all.
Why are you counting the numbers of days of reading instead of the number of books read, like you did in past years?
We’re glad you asked! What's important is that your kids read regularly throughout the summer. They may read 20 comics or 5 novels, and either option is just fine! What they choose to read for pleasure will depend on their reading level, their abilities and their taste. No matter how many books you finish, reading for 20 minutes every day helps prevent the “summer slide” effect.
Where can I find books for my child to read?
We encourage you to place holds on materials at your nearest branch this summer. You can find reading suggestions here. We also have many online resources available on our website to support children’s literacy, including Kids ebooks, audiobooks and databases such as TumbleBook Library.
Take a look at the TD Summer Reading Club website, where your kids can read a specially commissioned web comic and find even more ebooks. They can also find book recommendations, write their own stories, share jokes, rate, and review their favourite titles, and watch videos of authors and illustrators in action.
Are there other ways to help my child track their reading over the summer?
Yes! Visit the TD Summer Reading Club website, and look for the link to “Your Notebook”. Or visit one of our library branches across Ottawa or one of the bookmobiles stops to receive a printed TD SRC notebook.
