A program that encourages reading and promotes literacy among very young children is coming to Osoyoos.

Gerald Davis, the town’s director of community services, informed members of Town of Osoyoos council on Monday about the Little Free Library program that is being sponsored by the Communities for Kids local chapter.

The Little Free Library is a program where books are made available to children up to six years of age as they play at local parks.

“This is a program that is established in other communities such as Okanagan Falls and Penticton,” said Davis. “Research has shown that literacy and physical needs of children are vital to their development.

“The local chapter has garnered funding through the South Okanagan Children’s Charity and also have been successful in getting items donated.”

The local chapter is willing to supply the books and to monitor the program, he said.

“They would like to implement this program in Lions Park and the Osoyoos Splash Park,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for the town to partner with the Communities for Kids/Success by 6 group and bring a unique program to our community.”

Communities by Kids will be looking to install a pad at both parks in Osoyoos where kids can sit down and read before or after they play at the park.

If they can acquire sufficient funding, they will also be looking to install a bench where the kids can sit and read at both parks, he said.

Mayor Sue McKortoff said she worked as a school librarian for many years and knows the value of literacy among young children and said the town is very pleased to introduce this program for local children.

The Little Free Libraries will be stocked with books that focus on children between one and six and will operate under the “give a book … take a book premise.”

Books will be provided by agencies such as Literacy Now, the Okanagan Regional Library and from donations.

The Little Free Libraries will be registered online so anyone can go to the site and get the GPS co-ordinates of the libraries in the region. You can visit their website at
www.littlefreelibrary.org.

The plan is to build the libraries and paint before school is out in June, said Davis.

Awareness about the program will be raised though social media with the Communities for Kids Facebook page, local parent’s groups, the Sonora Community Centre and posters that will be put up around town.

“Building stronger communities starts with building stronger families,” said Davis. “In Osoyoos, we hope to play a small role in making that happen by providing community built, engaging Little Libraries for our local families.

“This project helps to provide easy access to books for all families, which in turn provides only benefits to the young people either reading the book themselves or having the book read to them.”

Council voted unanimously in favour of approving the Little Free Libraries program with the Communities for Kids program in Osoyoos.

Bylaw enforcement officers appointed

The town has hired six bylaw officers to prepare for the busy tourist season in Osoyoos.

In order for bylaw enforcement officers to have the authority to act and write tickets under the Municipal Ticketing Information bylaw, council must pass a resolution to appoint the bylaw enforcement officers for the town, said Janette Van Vianen, the town’s director of corporate services.

“Since the town entered into a new contract with Deleau Enforcement Services on Jan. 1, 2016, even though the same officers are returning, it is always good practice to re-appoint to make it clear who has authority to issue tickets,” she said.

“To clear up any misunderstandings of who may still be appointed, it is being recommended that all past appointments be rescinded and that council appoint the officers.”

The six bylaw enforcement officers hired by the town include Patricia Marshall, Shylo Lyver, Katie Church, Adrian Wikene, Richard Mohninger and Emerald Lutz.

All of the bylaw officers are required to have a current criminal record check with the local RCMP and Van Vianen said she will be meeting with the RCMP and the bylaw officers on May 10 to discuss expectations and processes during the busy tourist season.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times