Don’t let anyone tell you books are going out of style. At least not in Ocean City.
Julie Brown, the Adult Programming Librarian launched an Adult Summer Reading program this year for the first time, and the results have been spectacular.
“We have approximately 150 people who signed up and the number keeps expanding,” she said.
Brown called the program “a broader initiative to encourage adults in the community to read as much as they want to and help the community stay excited about reading.” The program is still open to new registrants
Anyone who signed up received a free tote bag with information about the program and novelties such as note pads, pens, and beach wallets. There were suggestions on some of the more popular latest releases available. Also included was a reading log in which participants list which books they read over the summer.
A weekly prize drawing takes place, with an entry provided for each book read. The more books read the more chances to win one of the prizes.
“Our local businesses have been great in donating prizes,” Brown said.
This week’s prize is free breakfast or lunch for two at Arlene’s on Asbury; next week’s a $20 gift certificate to Ta-Dah! Boutique and Accessories. A previous prize was a $25 gift certificate to Bookateria Two.
Future prizes are two free large pizzas at Mario’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant; (July 22); $15 gift certificate to Jon and Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro (July 29); $15 gift certificate to Ward’s Pastry (August 5); $25 gift certificate to Sun Rose Words and Music (August 12); $30 gift certificate to Applebee’s Grill and Bar (August 19) and $25 gift certificate to Yianni’s Café (August 26).
The Library was aggressive this summer about getting the word out to summer visitors and locals who might not know about everything the facility has to offer. In doing so, they launched a “Beach Book Bash” outreach program in which registration forms were handed out to beach-goers from a table set up on Ocean City’s award-winning beaches. The first one took place on June 20 and future Beach Book Bashes will be held in July and August on dates to be announced, Brown said.
Members of the Adult summer reading program have the option of saving their entries for more chances to win a specific contest, Brown said. “Some people are reading a book every day.”
Brown said plans were in the works for an “End of Summer Party” for all of the participants to celebrate all of their great summer reading. She will soon announce three grand prizes that will be awarded to lucky participants.
Of course, the Library’s children’s and teen reading programs are also going gangbusters, according to Leslie Clarke, the Library’s Children’s Head. A typical feature was the Chad Juros Magic Show which was part of the “On your mark, get set READ summer reading club. Currently we have 175 kids registered,” she said.
For more information, call the Library at (609)399-2434 or visit the website at
www.oceancitylibrary.org.
