In Maricopa, the local Summer Reading Program is not just beating the heat but also last year's records. According to a news release from the City of Maricopa, with a week still to go before the program wraps on July 26, reading enthusiasts have collectively amassed over 1 million minutes of reading time. The exact figure stands tall at 1,099,486 minutes, outstripping the previous summer's tally.
Looking at the participation rates, they're through the roof - 1,740 individuals have hopped on the reading bandwagon, and with even more programs remaining, staff are looking forward to a final push. According to last year's numbers, those figures represent significant community growth, given that the final count then was 944,182 minutes read by 1,298 participants. While redemption of 4,600 rewards also speaks to this jump, hinting at a robust enthusiasm among the locals for diving into books.
Supervising Librarian Angela Howell conveyed the sense of achievement and community spirit, telling the City of Maricopa, “Every year, the community’s excitement for reading continues to grow and this year is no exception. We’ve already surpassed last year’s totals in every major category, and we’re not even done yet. It’s been inspiring to see so many families, kids, teens, and adults dive into reading this summer.”
Even after the official end date, the program encourages participants to keep on wielding their bookmarks until July 31. Prizes can be nabbed all the way until August 9. In addition to the annual bookmark contest that runs until the end of July, inviting readers to meld their love for reading with a dash of artistic flair. The final numbers are slated for release post-program in early August, likely showcasing that local readers' engagement levels are turning a new page in Maricopa's literary chapter.
