Though kids aren’t spending time at the Mary J. Barnett Memorial Library for a summer reading program this year, the library staff is encouraging them to find new stories around Guthrie Center with their “Read Around Town” promotion.

Library Director Pat Sleister says during this month pages from a library book will be displayed in downtown businesses. The first page will be at the library’s former location of Integrity Financial at 507 State Street, followed by stops at Guthrie County State Bank, Prime Time Restaurant, Edward R Jones, Hometown Foods, Pink Poppy Apothecary, Lisa Calvert CPA, State Street Insurance, Art on State, and finally New Opportunities in City Hall.

Sleister explains how she got the local businesses to participate, “It was really simple and I actually went through the Chamber of Commerce and they sent out a request and I got back a bunch of emails saying they’d be glad to do that. So we’re really excited about it, I think it’ll be something fun. I know the kids have taken walks and looked for teddy bears in windows and this is just something different.”

When kids have read the whole “book” they can stop in the library, answer a question about the book and receive a prize. Sleister says the story will change each week and get more challenging toward the end of the month. Those who enjoy the book excerpts are encouraged to also check the books out from the library afterwards. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 2-6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-noon.