Nearly 38,500 people participated in the Public Library’s Summer Reading Program | Arts & Culture

CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - Congratulations to the 328 Summer Readers who won a four-pack of tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game or two tickets to a performance by the Cincinnati Symphony or Pops orchestras. And the grand prizes - LeapFrog Tags, iPod Touches, $25 Gold Star Chili certificates, and Sony e-readers- have been awarded to 246 winners.

Nearly 38,500 readers of all ages took on the challenge of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County’s 39th annual Summer Reading Program ­‑ Reading Rocks! From June 1 to July 31, the Library’s youngest Superstar Readers read more than 500,000 books while teens and adults logged over 2 million hours of reading.  Everyone who participated was a winner, not only for earning great prizes but also for enjoying a rewarding season of reading.

In the spirit of Reading Rocks!, the Library held hundreds of free and fun programs and activities throughout the summer. This outstanding lineup of musical and theatrical performances included World Choir Games Friendship Concerts, the Frisch Marionettes, The Magic of Tom Bemmes, The Music of Zak Morgan, Harp Instruction with Holly’s Harps, Rockin’ Science with Crystal Clear Science, Hip Hop Dancing, ArtReach workshops with the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and Books Alive!, as well as visits from the Honey Hill Farm Petting Zoo, the Library’s own Storybook Puppeteers, arts and crafts, and more. The Summer Reading program culminated in a special night at the Great American Ball Park where summer readers participated in a pre-game parade on the field.

Thanks to our sponsors for making this vital program possible: Friends of the Public Library, Anderson Township Library Association, The Library Foundation, Kersten Fund, Gold Star Chili, The Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and the Junior Woman’s Club of Wyoming Foundation.