In total, participants in the Jefferson County Library System’s summer reading program read 336.5 hours during the two-month period.
“This summer has been so much fun and I’m glad you all decided to ‘start your adventure’ with us,” said Christina Shepherd, director of the Jefferson County Library. “I looked through all the titles because I wanted to see if there was a book that was particularly good, but there wasn’t. Everyone was reading something different. The only time a title was repeated was when there were sibling groups and the parents wanted both children to read it. People read what they wanted to read and that was great.”
Thirty-four readers in the library system achieved the goal of reading for 180 minutes this summer. The library awarded 266 badges as part of the program.
The best readers included Jasmine Trammell with 1,952 minutes or 32 hours of reading time, Caleb Underwood with 1,504 minutes or 25 hours of reading time and Chance Dishmond with 1,375 minutes or 23 hours of reading time.
“I’ve had them from ages one to adults, and when they turn 18, I don’t ask them their age, they’re all over 18,” Shepherd said. “I feel blessed that we were able to offer a prize package to anyone who met the minimum reading goals.”
While the system’s visitor and lending numbers in June were comparable to those of the previous year, there was a significant increase in July.
“We hit the jackpot in July,” said Shepherd. “Last July our circulation was only 1,691 titles. This year it was 2,437.”
Drawings were conducted at the library among the children and teens who had reached their minimum reading time. One was selected from each branch and the following three received Kindle devices: Isaiah Underwood, Louisville; Jru Smith, Wadley and Henry Carter, McCollum in Wrens.
Tents used in the Summer Adventure exhibits in the children’s areas of each store were also randomly given away to Summer Reading attendees ages 0-12. The winners of the tents were: DJ Prescott, McCollum; Bryar Bryant, Wadley; and Brannen Miller, Louisville.
Shepherd said the library system’s fall program will begin in September.
“We will be bringing back our storytimes and our after-school STEM projects, and hopefully some new programs for adults as well,” she said. “Thank you again to everyone who made our summer program special.”
