The Wetaskiwin Public Library is inviting families to a free Summer Reading Club Party on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 5002 51 Avenue. The event will officially kick off the summer reading program with bouncy castles, giant games, crafts, a fundraising barbecue, and on-site registration for kids who want to keep reading over the school break.
This year’s national Summer Reading Club theme is “Unearth a Story,” chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program. It centres on dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology, themes the organization notes are consistently cited as high-interest areas for many young readers. The event is free and open to the whole community.
The party comes during a challenging year for the library. In December 2025, the library board announced a $50,000 reduction to the 2026 operating budget, forcing the elimination of Monday and Wednesday evening hours as of January 2, 2026. Board Chair Kathy Stephanson described the decision as unfortunate, stating that services had to be aligned with available resources.
Library research shows that children who take part in summer reading programs make significant gains in reading comprehension and can maintain skills by reading as few as six books over the summer. The Wetaskiwin Public Library is one of many locations in the Yellowhead Regional Library System running the program this year.
Families can sign their children up for the Summer Reading Club at the party and learn more about the free activities that will continue throughout July and August. The library encourages any interested residents to drop in for an evening of dinosaur-themed fun and early summer reading sign-ups.
