Huntley library celebrates reading success
Kings and queens, knights and jesters, and noblemen and noblewomen from the land of Huntley, Lake in the Hills and surrounding villages convened upon the Huntley Area Public Library on Saturday, Aug. 16. They were there to celebrate the closure and success of the library's summer reading programs. And celebrate they did, with a grand medieval faire.
The faire featured games, crafts, photos, music and more for kids of all ages. It was all part of the summer-long reading tournament that had more than 3,700 library patrons register for one of three medieval-themed reading programs.
"The 2008 program shattered our previous total by nearly 17 percent. Staff really outdid themselves by putting together a tremendous program. It seemed as if everyone really enjoyed the medieval theme, especially the knights and décor around the entire library," said Rosie Lukas, Head of Public Services.
The library structured unique programs for three different age groups. The Youth Services librarians offered "Summer Knights & Dragon Tales" for newborns up to grade 5. They had 2,650 kids register, logging a whopping 15,625 hours of reading. The number of hours read in 2008 far surpasses the 12,892 logged for the 2007 program which included children up to eighth grade. Readers were rewarded with more than 7,600 prizes and there were 120 "Big Prize" winners. "Big Prizes" were awarded by drawings. Children earned "Big Prize" entries by completing 120 minutes of reading.
Teens were asked to "Slay a Book" and 511 responded in kind, reading to earn entries for a grand prize drawing. They could win one of five teen-themed gift baskets that included books, music, snacks and video games among other teen favorites. Winners of the baskets were: Oliver Pappas, Hampshire; Ariel Barchard, Lake in the Hills; James Cannalte, Lake in the Hills; Zoe Detlaf, Huntley; and Isabel Rizo, Huntley.
"Quest for the Crown" reading adventure noted 579 adults taking part. They read more than 1,200 titles while competing for three grand prize baskets. Winners were: Basket 1 (Feast Fit for a King) Sandy Domagalski, Lake in the Hills; Basket 2 (Pampered Princess) Lynn Drag, Lake in the Hills; Basket 3 (medieval books and movies) Kevin Rader, Huntley.
The Huntley Area Public Library would also like to thank the numerous sponsors for their generosity and support of literacy in our community.
The Huntley Area Public Library is at 11000 Ruth Road, Huntley. For more information about the library, programs or events, visit the Web site www.huntleylibrary.org or call (847) 669-5386.