ATHABASCA - As a kid on summer break you might never expect to spend your afternoon learning about the number of fingers on a sloth, but those participating in the summer reading programs through the Alice B. Donahue Library did just that last week.
On July 7, the library came together with the Sloth Conservation Foundation in Costa Rica for a virtual presentation on sloths for the education and enjoyment of the kids.
Through the TD Summer Reading Club the library has been partnered with a sister library in Lachine, Quebec, a subdivision in Montreal. The two libraries chose the sloth as their mascot, hence the topic of interest, and gave him the name Domino.
“We kind of just chose [the sloth] because we both thought it was really cute,” summer program coordinator Ragen Holt said of the mascot.
The sloth we know today is actually a 30-million-year-old species located in Central and South America, stems from the Megatherium, an 18-foot, one-tonne, giant, ground sloth. SInce then, the species has evolved into two separate types of sloth — the three-fingered and two-fingered.
While scientists know the species has been around for a very long period of time, the actual lifespan of the creature is still unknown. Sloths have only been kept in captivity for the past 50 years and have yet to succumb to the forces of nature, meaning it may be some time before their true lifespan is known.
This was just some of the information shared with the children in attendance at the “Sloth School” presentation. With 26 kids in attendance, the program the day was considered a great success and another “Sloth School” seminar will be offered on Friday, July 16.
In partnership with their sister library in Quebec, the library has plenty more programs lined up for the summer as well.
“We're doing a whole bunch of yoga programs … We're doing take-and-make kits, and we also have our story walk up on the Muskeg Creek Trails,” Holt said.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 restrictions during the planning of the summer reading programs, the events are all being done either online or socially distanced.
One benefit of turning to online programs is the ability to connect children in Athabasca to those in Montreal. Children in both provinces will be reading from the same list of novels and deciding on the best of the best together through Battle of the Books.
Each week they will attend a meeting through Zoom in which the decision will be made, allowing them to connect over their favourite, and least-favourite, books despite the geographical difference.
They are also able to read the blog of their shared sloth mascot, Domino, who is displaying his adventures between the two libraries with photographs and written blurbs about his adventures.
The Alice B. Donahue Library still has many free programs left over the course of the summer for all children to take part in. Whether they need a new book to read, are looking to make new friends, or want a new way to spend their afternoon, the library has plenty to offer for the kids.
