The Stuart Public Library wrapped up their seven week summer reading program on Saturday. 

Library Clerk Mary McColloch says their theme was “Read Beyond The Beaten Path,” which incorporated camping and an outdoor activities. She says there were 149 kids that registered for the program with an average of 60 children attending every program, with their largest participation for the Little Miss Chili Pepper with over 168 people in attendance. 

“All of us that work here at the library. We love to see the participation that we have no matter what the program is. They’re checking out books, they’re reading, we just couldn’t be happier.”

The kids filled out reading logs to win prizes and the children that were ages eight and up read 36,750 minutes and the children that were seven and under read 1,057 books. McColloch hopes the kids continue to read throughout the year. 

“Reading is a reward and I hope that they see the difference when they go back to school this year and that the teachers see that there was a difference between the ones that participated.”

The programs included Guthrie County Extension and Guthrie County Conservation, along with balloon art and storytelling, story walks and a pool party.