Published: August 16, 2008 10:42 pm            

Library staff calls summer successful

Stillwater Public Library is celebrating the end of a successful summer reading program.

“We hit the ground running on June 4 with our first teen program and ran right on till our final adult program on July 25,” said Lynda Reynolds, library director. “I know of very few other libraries in Oklahoma that have summer programs that last for two months.”

When the final statistics were reviewed, library staff discovered that more than 1,000 children registered for the summer program, and half of those children read at least five hours over the summer. A total of 7,110 hours of reading were completed and submitted.

“We benefited from having talented performers, a general excitement about reading, and maybe the high gas prices, which all resulted in a very busy summer. Over the seven weeks, children’s program attendance reached almost 10,000 people,” Reynolds said.

Teens did just as well in their reading, completing more than 5,000 hours, an increase of 25 percent over last year’s reading total. Young adults also helped the children’s department by volunteering nearly 400 hours of service manning the children’s registration desk and preparing story-time crafts.

“We really wanted to encourage recreational reading this year and to present the library as a place where teens are welcome and can find activities, books, and other materials that will interest them,” said Recilla Harms, librarian. “With increases in teen attendance and reading, we hope we accomplished that.”

Registration was up by 40 percent for the second year of the library’s adult summer reading program.

The adult programs were designed to be both educational and recreational. Subjects ranged from tree care to coffee tasting to UFOs.

“It was great to see a lot of new faces at the library. I think the diversity of our program schedule attracted many people who may not otherwise be using library services,” said Andrea Kane, librarian.

While some registrants were not able to attend the programs, they still participated by turning in book reviews that were on display throughout the library. More than 130 books reviews were submitted this year, and many will be used for an ongoing “Patron Picks” display.

Librarians have already started plans for next year’s children’s, teen and adult summer programs. All three programs will have themes based on art.

        

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