Part I:  A Program That Works

1.  The Storytent Program

In the summer of 2003, a Storytent program ran in Crescent Valley, Saint John, a residential neighbourhood made up of multi-unit buildings, grouped about common green spaces. It is New Brunswick's largest Anglophone public housing complex, hosting nearly 400 families of various socio-economic and cultural descriptions.

The Storytent Program is a literacy support program for children and families. In this instance, the Storytent also provided a venue for the Summer Reading Club (SRC) as part of a library outreach to the community. The SRC is a province-wide program which encourages reading by allowing children to set a reading goal for the summer, track their progress with log books and stickers, and celebrate their accomplishments. The 2003 Storytent program and SRC outreach were offered twice weekly for two hours in each of five locations in this community.