Perry Memorial Library Youth Services librarian Melody Peters likens reading to physical exercise: Reading exercises your brain just like physical activity exercises your body.
And as Peters reflects on the success of the recently completed summer reading program,
participants got a lot of brain exercise!
She told WIZS’s Scout Hughes that more than 600 youngsters and adults participated in the summer reading program sponsored by the library. The goal was to read a minimum of 30 minutes a day over a seven-week period, complete a reading log and turn it in for prizes each week.
Peters and staff knew that participation was bigger than last year’s, but when she looked at the numbers, she said it was double last year’s program. And those 600+ participants recorded 688,000 minutes of reading time.
“It was amazing,” she said. “It is mind-blowing…very exciting to see the growth.” She said there were lots of return participants, but so many new people and new families also joined the fun.
All the prizes, incentives and coupons were donated from area businesses, Peters said. “We were so grateful that they were all donated…and we gave them right back into the community.”
As the dust settles at the library after such a successful summer program, Peters said she’s happy to report a couple of new programs will launch this fall to take their place among the library’s existing regular programs.
One is a new Life Skills program on the second Thursday of the month. A team from Coastal Credit Union will help teens learn about financial money matters over the course of a few months. And then the Life Skills time slot will focus on other types of basic skills, from sewing on a button to basic carpentry.
And then on Fridays in the fall, there’s Baby Rave at 10:30 a.m. and Parachute Play at 11:30 a.m. Baby Rave is for children 0-2 years and Parachute Play is for children ages 3-5. The dates are Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.
Not one to rest on her laurels, you’ll find Peters at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market tomorrow – Wednesday, Aug. 6 – at 10 a.m. for a special Story Time at the market to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.
Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn about all the programs and services at your public library.
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