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Library programs are increasing in popularity, even over the summer.

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Airdrie Public Library program draws more summer visitors

Books are flying off the shelves at the Airdrie Public Library.

“This year (summer) has far exceeded expectations,” said Carolyn McTighe, outreach and events coordinator for the library.

She said the success of the Summer Reading Program, a children’s program to encourage summer reading through prizes, themes and event days, has contributed to the increase in numbers.

According to McTighe, the Summer Reading Program has three sessions per day, into which children are split up based on age. This year, those sessions have typically attracted about 20 to 40 participants each.

“They’re filled,” McTighe said, adding the program is busier than last year’s.

“We’re kind of surprised because we have a huge amount of nine to 12-year-old kids (this year),” she said, noting the summer program usually attracts younger children.

McTighe said she thinks kids have returned from previous summers.

“Year after year, we have noticed a steady increase in popularity,” she said. “The numbers have been really fantastic.”

There will be a fundraising Celebrity Scoop event at Marble Slab following the summer reading program wrap up at Genesis Place on Aug. 17.

“It’s where local so-called celebrities come in and for one hour they’re going to scoop ice cream,” McTighe said.

The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. with 25 per cent of the funds being used to purchase a new children’s desk for the library.

“There will be firefighters, RCMP members, the mayor and some staff from the library,” she said.

“Every hour we’ll have somebody.”

While McTighe said these events will wrap-up the summer programs at the library, she said she looks forward to what is coming in the fall.

“We have lots of programs coming up,” she said.

Airdrie Fest and ARTember are back, as well as several clubs such as the genealogy club, writers’ club and knitters’ club.

The library has added two new programs for this fall: Spanish for Travellers and Your Digital Library.

Spanish for Travelers provides library members with basic conversational Spanish.

“This would give you the basics to carry out a conversation,” McTighe said.

The weekly program runs from Oct. 2 to Nov. 20.

Your Digital Library teaches library members how to use digital mediums including e-readers, web mail and Facebook.

“It’s geared more to older people who aren’t familiar with those kinds of things,” McTighe said.

She said times for the digital crash-course will vary but can be found in the library or on the library’s website.

For more information, visit www.airdriepubliclibrary.ca