‘Rahm’s Readers’ break summer reading record

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and library commissioner Brian Bannon say more than 60,000 children and young teenagers raced through 1.5 million books this summer as part of “Rahm’s Readers.”

That’s an increase from last summer in the program where children 3 to 14 read and report books of their choosing. This year’s theme was “You Are What You Read” and promoted healthy eating and lifestyles in addition to reading.

Emanuel says reading “provides children with a window to the world and a door to their imagination.” He says the library and the summer program offer a safe and fun activity that bridges the break between school years.

The library also began its first amnesty program in more than 20 years this week. There are no fines for returning overdue materials.