COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Richland County Library held its annual Learn Freely Fest, a celebration of the completion of the 10-week summer learning challenge.
The library provided participants with fun activities for completing 15 hours of reading and select tasks.
Activities at the fest included bubbles, gardening, balloon animals, face painting, charcuterie board creations and more.
The library also offered free family portraits for those hoping to capture those special moments.
Ashley Silvera, mom of four-year-old Mackenzie, who participated in the reading challenge, said it helped prepare her little one for preschool.
“She’s actually starting preschool this fall so she’s not in school yet she’s been in daycare but this been really helping prepare her for preschool," said Silvera. "Just like those tools that she needs to get prepared for reading on her own and getting invested in lifelong reading and in lifelong learning.”
Heather McCue is the library's children and teen services manager. She says summer is the best time to learn.
“We usually let schools beat the drum during the school year; they’re the ones who are like, 'It's important to learn; it's important to do all these things,' " said McCue. "Then, they pass the baton to us, and then it's our job during the summer to remind everyone and, that everyone from babies all the way up to grownups, that its so critical to us to keep learning.”
Silvera said it's important to read as it expands your experiences and views.
“I think its important because it does help you learn it helps you see experiences of your own," said Silvera. "It helps you see experiences outside of yours and it’s the gateway to learning overall, so any age pick up a book.”
Participants who competed in this challenge for a second year could donate a book to a local non-profit instead of receiving a completion prize.
