The Virtual Summer Reading Finale for kids and teens is on August 8th starting at 11AM on Facebook at @handleyregional. The live program will feature a celebration of this year’s participants including top readers and number of books read.
So far, over 650 kids and teens have participated in the program with 7,996 books read by pre-readers and nearly 6,000 hours of reading by older readers and teens. Prizes, including book bundles, will be awarded and winners will be announced for the top readers from each age group and category with instructions on how to pick-up their awards. This year’s theme was “Imagine Your Story” and featured a unique mix of new programing including cooking tutorials for teens, interactive puppet shows and story time, craft and activity sessions, and programs focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities.
“This has been a very different year for our community summer reading programs, “says John Huddy, Director of Handley Regional Library System. “That said, not being able to meet in person, see our patrons, and have them experience a program inside the library building did not stop our youth readers. We are very proud as a library system for the community participation.”
Typically the library system has over 250 programs at all 3 locations in the summer, however COVID-19 cause the buildings to be closed to the public and the library system to pivot to an all virtual programming format.
“Our library staff did an excellent job transitioning to the virtual format quickly,” adds Huddy. “Library services must continue in all environments to help provide fair and equal access to information to all communities.”