CULLMAN, Ala. – Over the summer, the Cullman County Public Library System held a Summer Reading Program across its branches, hosting guest readers, hobbyists and child-friendly activities to bring children and young adults into the library in a bid to increase literacy and interest in reading.
“We have really enjoyed the success of our Summer Reading Program and Reading Challenges. We had great numbers attending our programs each week, which brought children into the libraries in order to continue reading more books,” CCPLS Director Amber Thornton said. “As a former educator of young children, I know how important it is to keep children reading throughout the summer in order to prevent their reading levels from sliding backward during time away from school. Since school libraries are closed for the summer and students don’t have access to those books, I am thrilled that our public libraries can provide them with all the reading materials they need!”
The Summer Reading Program kicked off June 5 with a bang with lawn games like cornhole and ring toss, as well as treats from Fro’z Shaved Ice. It ended July 31.
At the event, reading logs were handed out to participants in both the children’s challenge and the adult’s challenge; completed logs were turned into the library’s circulation desk to be entered into the drawings for one of the many prizes secured by the library staff to encourage participation. Children could visit surrounding libraries and programs to receive stamps from each location, earning a prize. Brag tags were also handed out, marking significant reading hours documented on the children’s logs.
Prizes for participating children included family sized camping tents and gift cards. Adults were rewarded with devotionals, jewelry and gift cards to local businesses such as Seven Daughters Scoops and Southern Vinyl Source to celebrate the most avid adult-sized readers around.
The goal was to increase the number of library visitors and foster favor for books. According to the library’s collected numbers and rosters from each of the events, the goal was accomplished and surpassed.
CCPLS Assistant Director Shelby Creekmore said, “We are so grateful for the support we received and we are very excited to promote the continuation of reading during the summer for students of all ages.”
Throughout the Summer Reading Program, the CCPLS saw:
- 871 visitors to at least one event
- 399 library card holders added to the CCPLS database
- 3,385 books read by children as documented on reading logs
- 1,600 brag tags handed out to children
- 218 books read by participating adults
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