Canada Post celebrates Canadian achievements in literacy. This year they've expanded their award categories and will be presenting them at several locations throughout the country.

We are very honoured that the awards for British Columbia will be presented here, in Nanaimo. Canada Post has chosen the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Wednesday, September 13^th as the venue.

Literacy Central VI has asked Wayne Kingston, a previous recipient of the Canada Post Award, to present one of the "educator" awards on our behalf. The recipients in B.C. are: Karen Taylor, Victoria (Educator), Sally Gellard, Nanaimo (Educator), Prince George Public Library (Community Leadership), Connie De Melo, Castlegar (Individual Achievement).

This program is aimed at parents of babies and toddlers using oral and interactive rhymes and stories to increase reading readiness and bonding.

It is a free program facilitated by volunteers. A group of facilitators were trained this summer and are ready to start the program this fall. One group is already running at the Health Unit on Grant Ave. The groups meet once a week for an hour and a half for 10 weeks. New sites will be Parks & Rec. at Bowen Park, Tillicum Haus, Harewood Family of Community Schools, and the Teen Learning Centre on Strickland St.

The organizers are looking for sponsors and help with funding. If you would like more information about the program please call Lynne Alton at the Health Unit 755-6241.

Book Fair 2000

Bookstore volunteer Denise Janzen is all set up and ready to sell at Nanaimo's first annual book fair held August 12th. Other non-profits, authors, dealers and the library participated in what we hope will be an annual event at the Harbourfront Plaza (in front of the new library). The event was coordinated by the Youth Volunteer Corp as a National Volunteam Day.