Huron Expositor, 2014-06-25, Page 13Children and teens given
chance to 'start fresh' with
their summer reading
Do you love reading and using the
library, but struggle with getting your
books back on time? If you are
between the ages of 0 and 16 you
have the chance to erase those over-
due library fines by reading.
From June 23 to July 11, children
ages infant to 16 can 'pay' their over-
due fines by reading at home or at
the library. The program is an initia-
tive to diminish barriers that may
exist and get kids using the library
again without the penalty of past
fines. Often fines deter children from
using the library. If an individual's
fines become too great, they cannot
use the library's borrowing services.
"Reading and language are such
important aspects of education,
especially for children and youth.
The Read Away Fines program cre-
ates a chance for a fresh start for
the summer, and brings children
into our libraries countywide.
Libraries are a wonderful resource!
We want to provide young people
with the opportunity to use the ser-
vices available to them, regardless
of their past fine," said Meighan
Wark, county librarian and director
of cultural services.
The Read Away Fines program pro-
vides a three-week window where
children with fines can visit the
library and 'pay' down these fines
through reading. Every 15 minutes of
reading removes $1.00 in fines. You
can remove $4.00 in fines for one
hour of reading, and so on, to a maxi-
mum of $20.00.
Participation is easy. Follow these
steps:
1. Visit one of the twelve Huron
County Library locations (http://
www.huroncounty.ca/library/l_con-
tactus.php#locations) and ask staff
about the program. Make sure to
bring your library card.
2. Sign up. Staff will give you a log
sheet and reading contract, which
must be signed by a parent.
3. Read at home or at the library.
4. Log your book titles and the
time you spend reading.
5. Erase your fines. Once you've
reached your Reading Goal, bring
your log sheet back to the library and
show it to the staff. The staff mem-
bers will confirm you've met your
goal, and your outstanding fines will
be reduced!
Some restrictions apply - visit
http://www.huroncounty.ca/library
for more details.
Books read for Read Away Fines
can also be logged for children
attending the TD Summer Reading
Club in July and August.
Kick off your summer reading with
a fresh start, thanks to the Read Away
Fines program supported by the
Huron County Library.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 • Huron Expositor 15
Photo by Whitney South, Huron Expositor
Also, cutline for photo: Courtney McDonald, summer assistant with
the Library Administration Office shows off just a couple selections
kids can get started with during the Huron County Library's Read
Away Fines program.
Local programs promoting graceful aging
Phil Dalton
Special to the Expositor
The list of quality local services for
seniors continues to grow.
The Maitland Valley Family Health
Team is highlighting Senior's Health as
a whole throughout June and July, and
with that comes the recognition of
some successful ongoing services as
well as exciting new programs that
focus on the total wellness for the aging
population.
Most recently, a Ministry of Health
funded partnership between the Mac-
Kay Centre for Seniors and OneCare
Home and Community Support Ser-
vices was formed to offer fitness classes
four days per week for those age fifty-
five and over.
A milder, arm -chair based exercise
program called Ageless Grace joins a
list of long-standing services and social
programs offered to area residents
throughout the week at the MacKay
Centre in Goderich.
While exercise remains essential to
graceful aging, patients of the Mait-
land Valley Family Health Team
(MVFHT) also have the opportunity
to access quality mental health
programs.
Most notable is the Memory Clinic
offered by our social worker in partner-
ship with the Alzheimer's society.
The program aims to improve the
diagnosis and management of demen-
tia and support the caregivers of those
diagnosed. For those who have identi-
fied memory issues in themselves or a
loved one, this service is highly recom-
mended as early detection is vital.
Finally, one of the longest standing pro-
grams of the MVFHT, the Healthy Reads
Programs, continues to evolve to include
new health professional recommended
resources for people of all ages.
Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to
Your Physical and Spiritual Well -Being
by Dr. Andrew Weil is being highlighted
during this time of senior's health pro-
motion and is available through the
Huron County Library.
Recommended by Dr. Jim Honing -
worth, this guide covers such topics as
proper nutrition, moderate physical
activity, as well as the importance of
rest and meditation. It also reflects on
the spirituality of aging and its mental
and emotional aspects.
You can review the entire Healthy
Reads library online too. Go to www.
huron.canlib.ca, and then click on
"have you read" on the top right hand
corner. This takes you to an icon page
and you can select the Healthy Reads
icon from there. Other resources and
information on local senior's service
will be available on display at the Mait-
land Valley Medical Centre.
For a complete calendar of
programming offered at the
MacKay Centre, access their
newsletter at www.mackaycen-
treforseniors.com. For more
information on services offered
by OneCare, go to www.one-
caresupport.ca.
These are just a few
resources to consider as we
strive to be "younger
tomorrow':
Phil Dalton is a health pro-
moter is Maitland Valley Family
Health Team.
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