The 2019 Summer Reading season celebrated “A Universe of Stories” and featured library programs, artwork, and reading prizes themed around astronomy. Children’s Services Manager, Scott Frawley, was responsible for managing the $10,500 awarded by the Friends of the Durham Library. Friends funds supported several large initiatives. First, the funds supported reading prizes to incentivize participation. The program provided three-month passes to Sky Zone Trampoline Park for the season’s three children who won grand prizes. The program also featured a school competition: the elementary, middle, and high schools that most improved their reading participation between 2018 and 2019 earned classroom resources. Finally, vouchers to the local ice cream shop, The Parlour, were awarded to readers of all ages who completed the program by logging 1,000 minutes of reading. One participant replied in the post-program survey, “the prizes this year are awesome (gift cards for library book sales and ice cream from the Parlour)!” Another reader said, “Highlight was the free ice cream card.”

The Friends funds also supported four large events that occurred throughout the summer. The committee hosted Party Princess Productions during the season’s Kickoff events at East and North Regional Libraries. The group provided Star Wars-themed character visits, games, and face painting. Next, Bright Star Theatre performed their “Jack’s Adventure” show system-wide, teaching children about the history of the solar system. In July, the annual Teen Lock-In featured author Scott Reintgen and Paint Savvy artists. Finally, the program finale occurred at the Hayti Heritage Center with a virtual astronaut visit, announcement of the winning Go for Launch! team, and a screening of the film E.T.

Beyond these funded projects, the Friends also donated Books Among Friends vouchers for adult participants. This generous donation helped create a popular and new kind of reading incentive. In past seasons, the Summer Reading Program had only been able to provide book prizes to children and teens. The Books Among Friends vouchers provided adults the program’s first opportunity to also earn books. This was a major boost for the program since the committee has worked to offer better prizes that promote literacy, local experiences, and school readiness. The community responded enthusiastically. There was ultimately a 6.5% increase in adult program completion rate from 2018 to 2019. One post-program survey respondent said, “Definitely keep prizes for adults, and I really liked the book sale credits, reading down fines, and free ice cream prize.”

---