Get Your Summer Read On: June 17!

What is it?

TD Summer Reading Club’s Get Your Summer Read On Day is the official registration “kick off” for the 2017 TD Summer Reading Club across Canada.

When is it?

Saturday, June 17 (hours subject to your library’s hours)

Why are we doing this?

It’s been challenging to do a nation-wide launch for the TD Summer Reading Club in the past since libraries have different start dates. By designating a national day, it takes the emphasis off a “start” date and unites all participating TDSRC libraries together in a focused effort. And we really want to convey the message that the TDSRC is a national club. After all, this is Canada’s biggest bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, interests and abilities.

What’s the objective?

The main objective of the day is to drive single day registrations while raising overall awareness about the club.
Important! We’re asking participating libraries to keep track of how many registrations they receive on June 17 and report them back to us. Please submit the total number of kids registered on June 17, along with your branch name/system name (as applicable) to bac.clubtd-tdclub.lac@canada.ca by June 30, 2017.

What should my library do to prepare?

1. Bookmark the day! It’s never too early to start promoting it to the public and informing your staff. We’ll provide you with a template poster in the coming weeks, as well as a customizable one so you can add in any special programming you’re doing. Please ensure you have all your TDSRC materials ready for the big day.
2. Set targets. Every library is different. What does success look like to you? Identify a realistic (but ambitious!) number of registrations you want to do that day.
3. Plan your day. Libraries come in all shapes and sizes. Some libraries may have budgets for special programming throughout the day. Others may be more limited. We’ve thought of some low-cost, high-impact ideas to help you make your day a success. See Appendix 1 for ideas.
4. Create incentives. Why should kids register on June 17th? Why not the following week? Remember: our goal is to try and get as many single day registrations as possible. Can your library offer prize draws for the kids who register? What about a special giveaway item? Or a program that will only be offered on that day?
5. Create a social media plan. Think about how you can promote the day to your audience in the days and weeks leading up to the day and on the day itself.
6. Create an event listing for the day on your website.
7. Consider messaging via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and more.
8. Use the TDSRC illustrations and logo to build familiarity with this year’s look and feel. 
9. Tag other libraries so you can share and promote one another’s activities.
10. Post photos of your programming and special events.

Sample social media messages: 

• Only 9/8/7more days until we kick off the TD Summer Reading Club on June 17! #tdsrc
• Hey kids! Get Your Summer Read On with the TD Summer Reading Club! Details on our website. #tdsrc
• Visit your library on June 17 to register for the TD Summer Reading Club and you could WIN prizes! #tdsrc
• Keep kids reading! Register your child for the TD Summer Reading Club on June 17. #tdsrc

Note: The official hashtag for the Club is #tdsrc. Please be sure to include this in your social media messages on June 17 so we can track one another activities on the big day. And don’t forget to include it in all your social media throughout the summer.

What else is going on?

As part of our national efforts, two libraries will be designated as Get Your Summer Read On headquarters. The English event will be in St. John’s and the French event will be in Montreal. Both events will feature special programming and include participation by our partners, including Toronto Public Library, Library and Archives Canada and TD Bank Group. We’re hoping to secure media coverage at those events.

Get Your Summer Read On Poster - 8.5 x 11 - non-customizable

Get Your Summer Read On Poster - 11 x 17 - non-customizable

Get Your Summer Read On Poster 8.5. x 11 - customizable

Get Your Summer Read On Poster 11 x 17 - customizable

Get Your Summer Read On - Social Media Calendar

Get Your Summer Read On - Press Release - customizable

Get Your Summer Read On - Ambassador Overview - customizable

Questions? Comments?

Brian Francis
Manager, Communications, Programming and Customer Engagement, Toronto Public Library, 416-393-7511

Appendix 1

Here are some ideas to get you started. Have another great idea? Let us know so we can share it with other libraries.
Remember: The goal is to encourage as many registrations on this date as possible. Think about the ways you can celebrate the program in your library to encourage registrations on June 17th. 

• Hold a countdown and ribbon-cutting ceremony just before your registration and activities begin. Gather everyone behind a ribbon strung in front of your registration area and countdown from ten. When the countdown reaches zero, lead a cheer, ring a bell, wave balloons or flags, etc., then cut the ribbon and let everyone in and start registering!
• Create a registration tracking display board inspired by the TDSRC theme. For example, add a maple leaf to a tree for each registration. Position the board by your entrance or main info desk to display the number registrations so far throughout the day. 
• Add a fun game element to your registration. For example, every child who registers gets to play “Pin the Teeth on the Beaver” for small prizes.
• Have a registration “bucket list” board on display and come up with “challenge” achievements (e.g. register X number of kids in an hour, register X number of kids over the age of 9) and “fun” or “silly” achievements (e.g. register X number of kids missing a tooth, X number of kids wearing red or something “Canadian”). Celebrate each time a goal is achieved.
• Create a poll. Every child that registers gets to vote on something (e.g. favourite Canadian hockey team, favourite donut flavour, favourite animal, etc.). 
• Create a photo booth. Enlarge the illustrations created by 2017 TD SRC artist, Slavka Kolesar, to decorate your booth or use as props. Or design large coloured frames that resemble the TD SRC sticker squares so kids can create their own personal sticker picture.
• It’s a party! Have staff wear party hats and give out noisemakers. Prepare a craft table where kids can design and make their own conical paper party hats to wear in the library.
• Make a giant birthday card for kids to sign or draw on.
• Decorate your library with TD SRC inspired bunting, paper lanterns, streamers, etc. Make special displays inspired by Canada or birthday party themes.
• Set up a table or shelves displaying books from the TD SRC Recommended Reads list.
• Invite local personalities, politicians and celebrities to participate in story times and activities. Ask them to help demonstrate how registration and reporting books for the TD SRC works at your library. Consider asking them to act as TD Summer Reading Club ambassadors, to help promote the program via social media.
• Are you paired with a sister library? Share with them a progress report of how many registrations you have done throughout the day. Exchange social media messages with each another and share photos. Have each registered child create a postcard with a drawing and a message for the kids at your sister library and send them after GYSRO day.
• Throughout the day, post photos on your social media feeds and use the hashtags #TDSRC or #CLETD to share your GYSRO day experience!