Popular teen summer reading program encourages teens to read what they want, when they want
TORONTO (July 3, 2013) – This summer, Toronto Public Library is encouraging teens age 13 to 19 to join the WORD OUT teen summer reading community, both online at tpl.ca/wordout, opens a new window, and in library branches around the city.
WORD OUT encourages teens to read during the summer when they’re out of school, keeping them critically engaged and better equipped to return to their studies in the fall, and providing them with a safe space to share their ideas and interests with their peers.
“WORD OUT helped me find books I actually like to read,” says Sameena, a Toronto teen who participated in WORD OUT in 2012. “And I got to meet some awesome authors. WORD OUT made my summer a whole lot more memorable.”
WORD OUT was established by Toronto Public Library in 2009 and has since seen an increase in participation of over 175 percent.
“WORD OUT gives teens the chance to read simply because they want to read – not because they have to,” says the library’s Children and Youth Advocate Lisa Heggum. “WORD OUT gives teens the opportunity to explore and share who they are and who they want to be through books and
reading. Most importantly, WORD OUT is fun!”
Teens can find out more at tpl.ca/wordout, opens a new window, or by dropping into their local library branch.
WORD OUT is sponsored by the TD Bank Group.
Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary, opens a new window.
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Media Contact:
Ken Sparling, ksparling@torontopubliclibrary.ca, 416-397-5970