Summer book club enrollment flourishing

7/20/2003

Interest in summer reading is heating up with the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library's Summer Reading Club: Read Across Ohio.

In a second record-breaking year, participation has reached 12,287 people across the library system, a 9 percent increase from the same time last year.

The library set a record of 15,218 participants by the end of the summer last year. It may break that record this year.

Judy Jones, manager of the Mott branch on Dorr Street, said the program has increased the circulation there.

“We are having a fantastic turnout,” Mrs. Jones said.

Overall, the circulation at Mott increased 24 percent from this time last year, Mrs. Jones said. Circulation of children's library materials increased 27 percent compared to last year. Mott has about 300 children in the reading club for preschoolers through eighth-graders and about 100 participants in both high school and adult clubs.

“I'm seeing a lot more families come in and check out books,” Mrs. Jones said.

The free program offers weekly prizes for readers. It runs through Aug. 2 and is open to anyone in Lucas County. People still can join at any library branch or either of the two bookmobiles.