Yes, you read the title of this post correctly.  On January 24th (four days from now!)  there is going to be an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “Most Children Reading With An Adult, Multiple Locations“.  See the Library’s press release reprinted below for more details;

January 20, 2009
Windsor Public Library Celebrates Family Literacy
On January 24, families across Windsor will participate in Family Literacy Day, a national initiative promoting the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family. The Windsor Public Library encourages family literacy year round and is always striving to recognize the literacy needs of parents and children and provide an environment conducive to reading.

Special activities with guest readers are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2009 to celebrate Family Literacy Day at the main branch of Windsor Public Library (850 Ouellette Avenue).

In celebration of Family Literacy Day (FLD) 2009, be part of something big – really BIG! The ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and Official FLD World Record Attempt Sponsor Oxford Learning are asking Canadians of all ages to help break the Guinness World Record™ for “Most Children Reading with an Adult, Multiple Locations.” Please join Windsor Public Library staff and customers in the attempt to break the current record of 78,791, set by the U.S. in 2006. The fun begins at 10 a.m. and all are welcome to attend.

The first 100 children who complete the task of having 5 books read to them will receive complimentary books and all participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw for four Robert Munsch books - David’s Father, Moira’s Birthday, Pigs and Thomas Snowsuit. There will also be other miscellaneous prizes.

The Windsor Public Library offers the following tips and activities to encourage family literacy:

- It’s never too early to read to your children. Even newborns benefit from reading.
- Ask your kids to help you make a shopping list. Read and make recipes with them. Help your children make a calendar of their weekly activities.
- Create a special cozy reading place for your children and their books - their very own library!
- Use television to start a discussion with children. Find the books that inspired the movies or shows, and read them with your children.
- Give your teen’s books, newspaper articles and magazines about things that interest them - music, TV, movies, and computers. Talk with them about their interests.
- Impress upon children the importance you place on reading and learning.
- Use the dictionary to look up new words that have come up in conversation, on the radio, or in books you read together. Show your children how to spell the word, and what other words might be used as a substitute.

Additional information on children’s programming at the Windsor Public Library can be obtained at www.windsorpubliclibrary.com or by calling 519-255-6770.

So, make your way out to your local the Central branch of the Windsor Public Library this Saturday - and don’t forget to bring a kid. ANY kid. To help foster their love of reading as well as get in the record books.

Tags: event, Windsor Public Library