Editor, Times-Union:
Community means everything to us here at Akron Carnegie Public Library and our Summer Reading Program theme All Together Now was present in all that we did throughout all seven weeks!
We began by visiting Akron Elementary and setting up a challenge to see which grade level could get the most enrolled in our program and become winners of a special fall program just for them. We didn’t stop there and as our program got underway; our young patrons were on a community puzzle scavenger hunt that would take them six weeks to complete. Children and teens enjoyed 12 different programs throughout the summer and even though they were busy participating in those weekly programs, they were collectively able to read over 5,000 books! In addition to the phenomenal reading stats, ACPL staff taught over 36 classes, had 559 in attendance for programs and had over 1,200 participate in our weekly passive programs over the course of summer.
Some of the things they enjoyed were making a variety of spinners, crafting nature art frames and viewing our landscape and outdoor architecture, creating homemade kaleidoscopes and using texture to make 4th of July salt art. In July, they went to the park for our StoryWalk and made masterpieces to decorate a special tree. The last activity had them making s’mores in their own solar s’mores oven. This year we saw an increase in our teen numbers and we think they were thrilled with the activities we had planned for them. They made beautiful butterfly flutter flyers, designed their own 4th of July tie dye shirt and made a cube desk lamp. All our participants loved the Silly Safaris and foam party. They were definitely highlights of our SRP.
With all that being said, we couldn’t have done it without our patrons, their families, our local businesses, and friends who help out when needed! Thank you all! Parents, grandparents, family members, thank you for bringing your kids to Akron Carnegie Public Library! It encourages us more than you will ever know! To the business who donate reading incentives, thank you! Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen and The Igloo have partnered with us for several years now and their continued generosity is so appreciated. It helps us run a successful program and shows that literacy is important to them.
And then to our downtown community of businesses that say yes. Thank you! Your willingness to help us provide a fun environment outside of the library is exceptional. We love partnering with you and we love that you are willing to invest in our patrons and share community with them! Thank you for hanging in there with us as we ironed out the details in the beginning. Just to share with you, there were 145 times doors were went through to retrieve those puzzle pieces! Businesses participating in our puzzle scavenger hunt were Lake City Bank, Runkle Barber Shop, Viking Pantry, Day Hardware, Jonsey’s Junction, SASS, Akron Dental Care, Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, Subway, Good To Go Gas Station, The Grounded Coffee House, Webb’s Family Pharmacy, The Bird’s Nest, Dilly’s Restaurant, Service 1 Insurance Inc., El Machete, Fashionette Beauty Salon, Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill and the Akron Post Office.
We wrapped up our 2023 Summer Reading Program All Together Now on Monday, July 24th with a BBQ & Games on the lawn of the library. How fun to share “community” together with those who we get to know on a personal level because of our job. It is a joy to get to know everyone and just hang out during these special occasions.
One last shout out goes to our staff here at ACPL. Janet, Nicole, Vickie, Carol, Kim, April, Aggie, and Alana you all are a delight to work with! Thank you for always supporting me with your work ethic, being available and just encouraging me in my sometimes crazy ideas! You get me and I appreciate you all. Let’s keep doing more together!

Sincerely,
Julie Canada
Program Director/SRP Coordinator
Akron Carnegie Public Library