**TIMMINS PUBLIC LIBRARY MEDIA RELEASE**

The Timmins Public Library is pleased to offer Outdoor Reading Kits for Adults and Children.

 

What are the goals of this program?

The kits were created to encourage local residents to explore local parks and walking trails; to explore Timmins’ rich and diverse flora and fauna; to get exercise; to enjoy the great outdoors; to relax and most importantly to have fun! Each kit contains a journal for participants to document their outdoor discoveries and share them with the next borrower. Our kits are filled with the tools to enhance a borrower’s next hiking, birdwatching, geocaching, or stargazing adventure.

 

What’s in the kits?

 

Adult Outdoor Reading Kits

We have four bilingual kits.  Each kit features French and English books related to the topic, a journal to share your experiences, a bear bell, local trail maps, and a compass.

 

  • Geocaching Kit also contains a handheld GPS unit, binoculars, and a magnifying glass.
  • Birdwatching Kit also contains a set of binoculars and a magnifying glass.
  • Stargazing Kit also contains a stellarscope, and stargazing chart.
  • Hiking Kit also contains binoculars.

 

Children’s Outdoor Reading Kits

We have five French kits and five English kits. Each kit features books related to the topic, a journal to share your experiences, a mini-trail guide, and a compass.  

 

  • Birdwatching Kit also contains a small set of binoculars.
  • Stargazing Kit also contains a stargazing chart.
  • Bug Identification Kit also contains a pocket microscope.
  • Animal Tracks Kit also contains a magnifying glass.
  • Tree/Leaf Identification Kit also contains a magnifying glass.

 

Where can I learn more?

 

  • Saturday, May 12th – Outdoor Reading Kits Program Launch
    • 2:30 p.m. Guest Speakers
      • Christine Fortin-Timmins Public Library
      • Claude Beaudin –Timmins Golden Nugget Conservation Club
      • Madison Mizzau –Health Kids Community Challenge Timmins-Misiway
    • 3:00 p.m. Outdoor Safety Presentation by Timmins Porcupine-Search & Rescue

 

How can I borrow a kit?

You must have a Timmins Public Library card in good standing to borrow these kits.  The Adult Outdoor Reading Kits may be borrowed by Library cardholders aged 18 or older and the Children’s Outdoor Reading Kits have no age restrictions. All kits are available at the Main Branch in Timmins. At this time, the kits are available as first come first serve with a limit of one per cardholder. The lending period for Adult Outdoor Reading Kits is one week with no renewals while the Children’s Outdoor Reading kits are lent for three weeks with no renewals.

 

How do I return a kit?

Kits MUST be returned in person to the Main Branch of Timmins Public Library at 320 Second Ave. in Timmins.  The kits may not be returned in the Library book-drop.

 

Who helped make this program possible?

The Timmins Public Library partnered with two local organizations for this initiative. The Golden Nugget Conservation Group provided funds for the Adult Outdoor Reading Kits and Healthy Kids Community Challenge Timmins-Misiway provided funds for the Children’s Outdoor Reading Kits. We are very appreciative of their financial contributions for this program.

 

 

 

For more information, please contact:

  • Erin Auger, Assistant Library Director, Timmins Public Library at 705-360-2623, ext. 8520, Auger@Timmins.ca
  • Christine Fortin, Reference Assistant, Timmins Public Library at 705-360-2623, ext. 8531, Fortin@Timmins.ca