If you go into a library you’re in for a big surprise

An educational, fun and memorable experience will be on offer at libraries in the Capel shire next week.

Capel, Boyanup and Dalyellup libraries are each hosting a story time and teddy bear sleep over.

Children will listen to a story about teddy bears, be involved in craft activities and also hear from ambulance officers, rangers and firefighters before leaving their teddies behind to get up to some mischief.

Capel Library services manager Cheryl Smith said the activity was not only fun for the children but it brought them into the library to be educated about community services.

“The children will receive a booklet of photographs after the teddy bear sleep over to see what their teddies got up to,” she said.

“It’s about community engagement and education for the children.

“In the previous years when I have run the program in NSW I had a young girl come in and pick her bear up and scold him for eating too much junk food.

“We all had to laugh at that one. I am hoping I can bring the same experience to children in the shire of Capel.”

She said the library staff would collate a book highlighting what the teddies got up to in different parts of the community and sell it to the public.

Capel shire community services executive manager Michelle Plume said it allowed different agencies to get together at the library to engage the community on different levels.

“A program like this identifies libraries to be the social and educational hub of our community and provides the opportunity for children to be educated while having fun,” she said.

The program will be at Capel Library on Wednesday, Dalyellup Library on Thursday and Boyanup Library on Friday from 4pm to 5pm.