The Jefferson Public Library recently completed their youth summer reading program.

Children’s Librarian Terry Clark says youth from four year-olds through fifth graders, read a total of 70,195 minutes.  She notes that this year’s program was changed from the total number of books read to total minutes read and adds that it was a better way to hold kids accountable for their reading.

“It was a more equitable way to do the reading.  When you think about a big chapter book, like a Harry Potter book, and then you think about a small, easy book or an easy-reader book, it is a little different way of doing it.  This was much better.”

70 youth attended the final party in late July, where they enjoyed snacks and superhero activities that coincided with this year’s “Every Hero Has A Story” theme.  The grand prize winner was Nehemiah Hoyt and he won a new bicycle.  Other winners were Jaden Koller who was the super reader and he read 2,820 minutes; Stephen Blasnitz and Lucy VanderLinden won the Book Burglar Over 500 Minute Club drawing; Noble Hoyt and Payton Kokenge were the Book Burglar Look and Find drawing winners, Rylan Hostetler won the To Infinity and Beyond drawing and Christopher Lansman and Cassady Ruth won the Heroes Look and Find drawing.

Throughout the summer, there were special guest speakers and performers such as the Blank Park Zoo, Greene County Chief Deputy Jack Williams and his K-9 Leo, and a juggler.

Clark would like to thank all the sponsors for their continued support of the summer reading program and says she is proud of all those that participated.