The Cambridge Idea Exchange has received national recognition for its summer reading programs, taking home two awards at a recent library conference.
On May 3, the Cambridge library was presented with awards for its work in creating accessible and accommodating programs at the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference.
According to a press release, the library received the 2023 TD Summer Reading Club Accessibility Award from the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and a 2023 TD Summer Reading Club Library Award (Second, English).
“On behalf of our library board and our staff, we are honoured to be recognized alongside other innovative libraries across Canada,” said Chrissy Hodgins, CEO, Idea Exchange in the release.
“We are committed to delivering meaningful and forward-thinking literacy services to our community and these awards, alongside the supportive feedback from our members, are an acknowledgement of this focus.”
The TD Summer Reading Club Accessibility Award celebrates the creativity and dedication of library staff who engage children with disabilities in their Summer Reading Club.
The Idea Exchange has been at the forefront of offering accessible services and accommodating spaces for those with sensory issues to the community; winning an award for their work in February.
The TD Summer Reading Club Library Award was also awarded to the library for having one of the most innovative and effective Summer Reading Club programs across Canada.
“Driven by compassion for all our members accessible service, especially for those dealing with sensory issues, was the inspiration for much of our Summer Reading Club programming in 2023," Andrea Siemens, manager of youth services, stated in the release.
“From creating welcoming spaces that provided a sense of belonging to families with disabilities to making new connections within our community and creating inclusive learning experiences, our staff kept focused on their goal and these awards honour that.”
Highlights from the 2023 program that were recognized as part of the award processes included a multi-sensory room pilot project at Clemens Mill, inclusive programming, a summer reading club mobile, and other elements provided by Idea Exchange to remove barriers to literacy and library services.
In 2023, 2,735 young readers registered for the summer reading club program at Idea Exchange.
The TD Summer Reading Club is Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, all interests and all abilities.
The free program is co-created and delivered by more than 2,000 public libraries across Canada and celebrates Canadian authors, illustrators and stories. The goal is to inspire kids to explore literature and reading in their own way.
The Idea Exchange will be launching its 2024 summer reading club on July 2 at all of its five locations across Cambridge.
For more information on literacy programs for young readers, the multi-sensory room and membership, visit the library's website.
