The 173 children who participated in the Haines Borough Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Program combined to read 12,539 books and chapters, topping the record of 10,612 books and chapters tallied in the summer of 2011.
“I’m amazed,” said children’s librarian Holly Davis. “It can’t be all me. The program’s built its own momentum.”
The record-setting group consisted of youths up to age 12. They also had the option of participating in the “Feed a Child” program, and 34 did, choosing “sometimes multiple times, to give up picking a prize from the treasure chest and instead have $5 be donated to feed a child through Samaritan’s Purse,” Davis said. “Thirteen individuals gave money just to support that program.”
For older readers, the Adult and Teen Summer Reading Program prize jar drew 136 entries. Ann Marie Palmieri won the grand prize jewelry donated by Debi Knight Kennedy.
The program finale Aug. 9 at Tlingit Park featured Davis and children performing on ukuleles, Burl Sheldon, storytelling by Tim Shields, formances of songs in Spanish, the fairytale “The Ugly Duckling,” and a puppet show and some magic tricks by Neil Einsbruch.