The Oxford Public Library Summer Reading Program enjoyed one of its most successful summers as 568 children signed up to participate in the summer long event.
‘The purpose was to keep the kids reading over the summer for pleasure,? said Head of the Youth Program Shae Smith.
With no official required reading list of books for the program, the kids were able to decide what books to pick out based on their personal interest Smith said.
Smith was thrilled about the enthusiasm the kids showed for the program. She said there were more children that actively participated this year than any year before.
The proof was in the 178 reading records that were turned in. Each record indicated how many days each kid read during the week.
Altogether, the children read a combined 7,828 days during this summer’s program.
There were 25 kids who spent 60 or more days of summer vacation reading books. Fiona Bucchare, Daniel and Joey Strzelecki each read 63 days, while Travis Butler, Abbey Trbovich and Esme Roda read for 62 days.
There were many events that kids went to over the summer that kept encouraging them to continue reading. There was a ‘Gemini? concert, a nature program and even a juggling workshop.
The final event of the summer was the Youth Family Picnic, which saw 160 people bring dishes to pass and see their children get certificates for participating in the program. The children also received goodie bags that were filled with activity sheets, stickers, bookmarks, crayons and temporary tatoos among other various items.
Entertainer Gordon Russ presented his ‘Kids Get Creative Magic and Comedy Show? at the picnic.