In the early 1990s, the OLA conducted a small survey about recreational reading programs being offered by school libraries and concluded that more needed to be done to encourage reading for pleasure in school-aged children.
It targeted children in grades 4–6 and focused on both fiction and non-fiction books.
As the program gained traction, the Silver Birch Award attracted the attention of principals and teachers who encouraged its adoption in ever-widening circles, providing teacher-librarians with much needed support.
Five years later, in 1999, the Red Maple Awards program was established for Grades 7–9 in response to growing school demand.
The festival take place over three days and includes workshops, author signings, and the awards ceremonies themselves.