Tremendous Thanks and Summer Reading Wrap-Up

A warm thank you to all who participated and supported the Summer Reading Programs at the Farmland Public Library. The programs grew to be bigger and better than ever with your help!

Enrollment in the programs was 62, nearly doubling the previous year’s enrollment. The participants were divided into three age groups: Story Time (21 children), the Reading Bug School-Age Readers (31 students) and the Metamorphosis Middle & High School Readers (11 students). Each group met for one hour once per week for four weeks. A different adult volunteer reader led the group during each meeting. Eighty-six contact hours were logged this summer, during which the participants were engaged in group learning activities. For example, Story Time and the Reading Bug group enjoyed hearing stories, singing, making bug crafts, and watching baby praying mantises hatch, while the Metamorphosis Readers discussed books and had roundtable discussions with young professionals who could discuss issues in the changing lives of teens – getting a first job, using technology wisely, and environmental issues.

One of the truly exciting results of the program is that the 44 participants that chose to log their time read for a combined total of nearly 300 hours! In just four weeks! Many have developed a habit of coming into the library each week and continue to visit even after the conclusion of the programs. Participants enrolled from every township served by the library, and the program helped to attract 11 new families and 12 families for renewal cards into the library community, thereby impacting the literacy and reading habits of over 70 area residents.

All participants were invited to a celebration picnic to be recognized for their good work. For each weekly goal that was accomplished, a prize or toy was added to their awards bag. Additionally, there was a hot dog cook-out for all the families to attend. Be sure to check out the photo pages on this blog!

Thank you once more to:

The parents and other literacy coaches, "taxi drivers," and helpers

Affordable Pest Control, Bruce & Renee Gee

Bright Ideas Stained Glass Studio

The Chocolate Moose

Beth Dalton

Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority

Alice Duke

Pam Edwards, Reed Realty

Fort Wayne Wizards

Emily Funk

Gibson Skating Arena

Aurora Green

Kathy Hanson

Hickory Hills Golf Club

Connie Howell

Nina Howell

Indiana Beach

Sandra King

Paula Keister

Donna Jones

Angie Longnecker

Daniel Lutz

Clara Moore

Old National Bank, Farmland

Main Street Coffee Company

Susie Main

Marsh Supermarkets

Krista Matlock
Barb Medler

Pam Mullen

Sherry Patterson

Mandy Puckett

Rebecca Reynolds

Alexis N. Robertson

Cynthia and Nicholas Shutters

Helen Symons

Tanglevine Crossing

Linda Thompson

Thrift-E-Market

Nathaniel Walker, Steak-N-Shake Muncie

Jennifer Welch

Mary Caroline Wright