St. Lucie County Library Summer Reading Program Sees Huge Increases in Participation
The St. Lucie County Library System experienced significant increases in its summer reading programs, as well as large turnouts at its summer story times, performances and hands-on science programs.
The youth summer reading program attracted 2,188 children picking up reading logs – a 137 percent increase over 2014 with 684 students completing the challenge, which was a 256 percent increase compared to the previous year. The teen reading challenge saw a 264 percent increase in the number of students obtaining reading logs, with 518 picking up the forms and 101 completing the challenge or a 57 percent increase over last summer.
Winners of St. Lucie County Library System’s Summer Reading Challenge were:
Teen Readers
- Grand Prize (Kindle) – Saured A. Lopez – 7th grade
- First Runner-up (Dolphin Watch) – Aneesa Dial – 12th grade
- Second Runner-up (Superplay USA) – Mirlandecha Louis – Grade not given
Youth Readers
- Grand Prize (Bike package from Sprockets) – Ariel Major – 5th grade
- First Runner-up (Dolphin Watch) – Sierra Lites – 5th grade
- Second Runner-up (Superplay USA) – Ainsley Pearson – Kindergarten
“With the generous support of the Friends of the Library, we were able to offer excellent incentives, including a grand prize drawing,” said St. Lucie County Library Manager Susan Jacob. “Every student who completed the challenge was awarded a Summer Reading Champion Medal. The Library staff tried to go that extra mile and make each reader feel like a hero. Children, parents and teachers work so hard during the school year to advance literacy and learning skills. All of the Library’s Summer Reading Programs generate excitement and fun and help many students avoid the dreaded summer skills slide. “
In addition to a large participation in the reading challenge, St. Lucie County libraries hosted more than 4,500 children attending summer storytimes, special educational programs and the new weekly hands-on science program, Hero Lab.
Furthermore, the Hurston Branch Library on Avenue D in Fort Pierce was able to open for nine Mondays during the summer, providing library services to an additional 1,447 residents.
The St. Lucie County Library System is a division of the Community Services Department and features five branch libraries and a joint-use facility with Indian River State College located in St. Lucie West. For more information visit: https://library.stlucieco.gov.
