08/08/2026
2026 Summer Reading is Over.
Thank you for all 54 people who signed up to participate in the Blue Ridge Township Public Library Summer Reading Program.
..However, I am a little disappointed in stating that only 19 patrons actually brought in their reading logs in order to qualify for the prizes that we purchased, or were gifted to the library by local businesses.
Our Top Readers were given a $20.00 gift certificate to Target. This included one adult and one juvenile (under the age of 18). Good job to Martha Taylor for reading 29 hours and to Jason Taylor for 7.5 hours.
I know that there were a lot of patrons, who signed up, who read, however did not complete their reading log. As the librarian I have still "gifted" a Monicals 8" free pizza (for those under 15); - per Monicals rule and a free ice cream from the B.P. Station.
Those children who turned in reading logs will get their choice of available stuffed animal with a book, Monicals gift certificate, and ice cream cone or small dish from the B.P. - I have kept a list of those patrons who have enrolled and have given me hours read.
Other Prizes for Top Readers by Age Level include:
Age 3: Robert Wright
Age 5 - Adah and Elliott Leffelman
Age 6 - Henry Wright
Age 7 - Duncan Kuester and Poppi Rodriquez
Age 8 - Saul Leffelman
Age 10 - Gabriel Leffelman and Gretchen Kuester
Age 11 - Bria Reynolds (and Jason Taylor - Top Reader)
Age 12 - Martin Meinert
and Adults:
Maddie Wright
Deanna Kuester
Chelsie Leffelman
Amy Henderson
Dianna Wells
Cassie Meinert
Martha Taylor - Top Reader!
Those adults who signed up and read, however did not turn in logs include the following patrons - who will receive a $5.00 certificate to Starbucks:
Michelle Dixon
Paige Christie
Mark Slack
Bob Wolf
Katie Barton
Melissa Harper
Debbie McCoy
Thank you also to all who brought your children in for the Summer Program - Story Times held throughout the summer on Saturday mornings.
Reminder - Summer Reading is an expense to the library, and a lot of work! It is frustrating on both sides, without having a "written" log, to show that the children are reading, or being read to!
In the future we will try to make accommodations so that summer reading is not a chore - but rather a fun reading experience, which also helps children who are going back to school in the fall and keeps them "educated" during the long summer months.
Any suggestions on what you would like to see for next summer? We need some accountability, which unfortunately rests on most parents - and can get out of hand! We see your pain...however we want the children to get some sort of prize or prizes for doing a good job with their reading during the summer.
Thank you!
Sherri Eddings, Library Director
Barb Gawthorp, Library Clark
and Brenda Edwards, Amazing Library Substitute
and the Blue Ridge Township Board of Directors
