Peabody reading program a ?huge success,? leaders say

The summer reading program at the Peabody Town?ship Library was a ?huge success? this year, according to organizers

The program attracted 48 participants on the first day (May 31); 21 of those were preschool or younger, according to Michele Gossen, program coordinator. Average attendance has been 45 participants each day.

Gossen is being assisted by Lori Gillet and Jessica Bowlin as well as teen and adult helpers.

?We would not have been able to survive this year without them,? said Rodger Charles, librarian.

How do you measure success?

?We ran out of Dixie Cups, twice,? Charles said. ?Every program day, the stack of book library index cards checked out was over 1 inch thick. We doubled our order for the number of reading records from last year and ran out after week two. Everybody, participants, parents and staff had a great time. Many books were read.?

Thursday will be the last day of the program; reading records are due. In attendance that day will be Lori SooHoo, director of Marion County Parents as Teachers. Partici?pants of all ages, including staff and parents, are encouraged to wear pajamas to the library, Charles said.

The library will celebrate the conclusion of its program from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at the Peabody City Pool.

Participants who have read five hours (marked off 20 stars from their reading logs between May 31 and June 28) are invited to attend the pool party. Certifi?cates and prizes will be awarded at the pool party.

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