Once again this year, the Idar-Oberstein City Library participated in the “Summer of Reading” and “Summer of Storytelling” programs in Rhineland-Palatinate. At the closing ceremony, which was also attended by Mayor Frank Frühauf, the successful readers received their certificates and enjoyed a raffle with numerous prizes. In addition to honoring the successful participants, the closing party also featured entertainment and a festive atmosphere. The children enjoyed slushies, Sabrina Hoffmann painted colorful faces during the face-painting session, and artist Kristina Boneva led a creative arts-and-crafts activity.
About 270 libraries throughout Rhineland-Palatinate participated in this year’s “Summer of Reading” and “Summer of Storytime.” The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is supporting the participating libraries with a total of 200,000 euros, as well as free materials and promotional items. This year, “Summer of Reading” also has a new look: Instead of the cheeky monsters used in previous years, reading robots are now promoting the reading campaign.
The Summer Reading Program is aimed at children and teens ages 6 to 16. Participants were considered successful if they read at least three books during the program period. At the Idar-Oberstein Public Library, 193 children and teens signed up for the Summer Reading Program. 153 of them managed to read at least three books and received a certificate for their achievement. A total of 147,243 pages were read during the campaign period.
Participation was also high in the “Summer of Reading Aloud” program for children ages three to six. Sixty-five children signed up, and 50 of them successfully completed the program by having at least three books read to them. A total of 336 books were read aloud as part of the “Summer of Reading Aloud” program.
“For the summer reading program, we purchased 231 new books with a total value of about 2,330 euros,” reported library director Sandra Ley. This was made possible by support from the Bürkle Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Idar-Oberstein, Volksbank Raiffeisenbank, Kreissparkasse, and a private donor. “We are grateful for this support; it directly benefits the children and young people,” said Mayor Frühauf, thanking the sponsors for their financial commitment.
The library director extends special thanks to the volunteers who once again actively supported the “Reading Summer” program this year. Silvia Bugner-Riske, Brigitte Sommer, Christiane and Pauline Wayand, Paula and Helena Lordick, and Miya Mertins chatted with the children about the books they had read in the story corner of the city library. In doing so, they made an important contribution to the campaign’s success and ensured that the young readers could share their reading experiences with others. “Without the dedication of our volunteers and the support of our sponsors, a reading promotion campaign like this would not be possible,” emphasized library director Sandra Ley. “We are very pleased that so many children and teens participated again this year and read with such enthusiasm.”