From mid-June to mid-July, the Demopolis Public Library hosted its annual children’s summer reading program.

“This program encourages strong reading habits, introducing kids to things and ideas they don’t usually come in contact with, and creating the desire for reading simply for enjoyment,” said children’s librarian Kelley Tarpley.

The program hosted friendly competitions such as coloring contests and the general summer reading participation challenge.

Nadia Valdivia, Alexa Martinez and Anthony Jackson were winners for the coloring contest, while Karla Galbino and teen Hannah Williams were the winners for the reading challenge.

Tarpley said that the program would not have been as successful if not for the aid of volunteers like Sierra Goldman and Symone Jones, who helped with several activities, and kept the entire program running smoothly.

As for later summer plans, Tarpley said that Story Time will continue to be held every Wednesday at 10 a.m., as well as special events for the children with guests like Pluggie the Fire Plug, who visited on Monday, and Buddy Beaver on Wednesday, July 28.

The library is also hosting an adult reading program this summer, which includes not only reading books but participating in interesting activities to help make the entire process more enjoyable and easier. Such events include “Carol’s Flower Garden” on Thursday, July 22, with gardeners Carol Glass and Betty Baxley showing off their green-thumbed talents, as well as “Yak and Snack” on Thursday, July 29, which will be a mini-banquet to which one can share good food with other book lovers.

“We’ve always had a children’s program, and we’ve had an adult program without activities for years, but we feel this will have a great impact on the community,” said library assistant Anner Gray, who oversees the adult reading program.

With more than 50 members, it seems the program is receiving very good participation.