The upper level of the Rupert Square Mall was alive with activity on March 9 for a celebration of literacy in the community.
Kids were able to make their own bent-board boxes at the Museum of Northern B.C. Table, enjoy story time in English, French or Sm'algyax or grab a free book courtesy of the Prince Rupert Rotary Club, while adults could enter to win a number of door prizes, take in a reading from the Gumboot Girls and learn more about services offered by the Prince Rupert Library and Northwest Community College.
According to event organizer Elizabeth Wilson, it was this wide range of activities that made the event such a success.
"It went well, there were a lot of people... This is our fourth year doing this and the purpose is really to let people know how much is going on in Prince Rupert to increase literacy in the community," she said.
While many associate literacy with the ability to read and write the printed word, Wilson said it is extends beyond that.
"It's about more than books, literacy is about understanding your surroundings, understanding computers and making sense of things like finances... I think literacy is a big issue everywhere because it's about making sense of the world around you," she said, noting the day had been scheduled to include classes on financial literacy.
"Even if you are literate in one area, you may not be literate in another area."