Kids, adults surpass Glen Ellyn Public Library's reading goals

This year's Glen Ellyn Public Library's Summer Reading Program challenged the community to "Read for Heroes," and the community responded overwhelmingly.

Kids blasted past their goal, reading for 80,254 hours, or 10,254 additional hours.

"This year was the fastest we have ever achieved our goal," said Renee Grassi, the library's youth department director. "We beat it four days ahead of schedule."

Adults also surpassed their goal by 205 books to finish with 4,705 books read.

"To not only meet, but exceed this year's goal says a lot about how much enthusiasm adults had for this year's summer reading program," says Amy Franco, the library's adult programming librarian.

Teens really got behind summer reading this year, setting a record for number of books - 1,170 - logged in.

"That's a 41 percent increase over the previous recorded best set back in 2012," Franco said.

"It was wonderful seeing such a response from the community to our summer reading program," said Dawn Bussey, the library's director. "We are thrilled that participants surpassed their goals and donations will be made to the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department and Glen Ellyn Police Department."

The Friends of the Glen Ellyn Public Library donated $1,000 to the fire department, which will put the funds toward the recruitment of volunteer firefighters.

Youth Department Assistant Director Melissa Hilt and Katie Scherer, president of the Friends of the Glen Ellyn Public Library, recently presented the check to Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim Bodony.

The Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn also donated $1,000 to police, who will place the money in the Madden Scholarship Fund. The check was presented to Chief Philip Norton and officer Steve Miko by Franco and John Helledy, the club's president.

"This year's Summer Reading Program was an unqualified success. But the value of our Summer Reading Program is not just in the numbers - it's in the impact," Grassi said. "Not only did we partner with and support the Glen Ellyn police and fire departments, but our reading program helps to limit the effects of Summer Slide by getting kids excited to read, encouraging children to be lifelong readers, and preparing students for school readiness."