The summer reading program at the Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library in Guthrie Center recently came to a close, and Library Director Pat Sleister thought it was a big success. “I think it went really well. I think the kids had a good time, and they logged in about 8,000 minutes of reading time. So I think that’s pretty good!”

There were around 40 kids in the program, though Sleister says only the kindergarten through fifth-grade students counted their minutes. In addition to the reading, they also had several programs. Some highlights included: a visit from the Blank Park Zoo; the Magical Mystery Fun Show with Bob Swan; the Hanson Family Jugglers; and a pool party to end the program.

Looking ahead to next year, Sleister says they’ll have an exciting learning aid. “We’re going to have a unique situation next year, because our library is going to be hosting a Smithsonian Institute Exhibit here at the library. And the title of that exhibit is ‘Hometown Teams,’ and so our next year’s summer reading program will have a theme of probably athletics and teams from around Guthrie Center.”

To hear more from Sleister, listen to last Monday’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.