The Mercer County Library System has wrapped up its 2024 Summer Reading Program, an annual initiative that encourages children and teens to read and engage in enriching activities throughout the summer.
Throughout the library system more than 3,100 children and teens participated in the eight-week program—titled “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
Participants earned prizes, including free books to help build patrons’ home libraries, and read a total of more than 1.5 million minutes. This was a collective achievement that equates to about three years of continuous reading in just one summer.
In addition to the reading challenge, the library system offered over 1,100 entertaining and educational programs for children and teens, drawing nearly 30,000 attendees.
These programs, supported with funding from library support groups such as Friends of the Library and township library committees, ranged from story times and craft projects to STEM activities, concerts, magic shows, and cultural events, offering something for every interest, encouraging families to visit the library and become lifelong library users and readers.
Teens played a pivotal role in the success of the Summer Reading Program. Along with participating and earning prizes, more than 95 teen volunteers contributed more than 3,000 hours of service at various branches. These volunteers helped distribute prizes and assisted with the preparation of library events, all while gaining valuable skills and experience.
The Summer Reading Program wasn’t just for kids—221 adults also joined in on the fun, collectively reading over 1,000 books. Adult participants had the chance to win great prizes through raffles at each of the branches, including gift certificates to local businesses.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said that the reading program proves the importance of reading, community and lifelong learning.
“Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made the 2024 Summer Reading Program such a success,” said Benson. “Through programs like this, our libraries instill a love of reading and learning that will enrich the lives of our next generation for years to come.”
