MARION — Elizabeth Taber Library is leveling up their summer reading program, kicking off the season with a “larger than life” carnival event.

Inflatable Hungry-Hungry Hippos, skeeball, face painting and stacks of books filled the inside of the Marion Music Hall on Saturday, June 14 to kick off the summer reading program.

“We decided to treat our kickoff event like a big carnival with the theme ‘Larger than Life Games,’” said Macy Davis, Children’s Librarian.

She added, “The most important thing is people can also sign up for the summer reading program.”

Emily Gherard, an 11-year-old Marion resident, is returning to the program after enjoying a summer of reading stories last year.

Her favorite book she read last summer was “Fablehaven” by Brandon Mull.

“It’s just a lot of fun to participate in,” said Emily.

At the end of the program, she eagerly anticipated receiving prizes for reaching her reading goal.

“There were stuffed animals you could get and yo-yos and stuff,” she said. “It was a bunch of cool little prizes that encouraged kids to read.”

Davis emphasized that participants in youth summer reading are allowed to create their own personalized goals for how many books they intend to finish by the end of the program on August 15.

“They decide what fits them best for how much they want to read over the summer,” she said.

This year, the library partnered with South Coast businesses such as the Marion General Store, Fieldstone Market and Kool Kone to add more prizes to the program.

“Kids who regularly visit the library over the summer can also get their reading logs stamped and get a coupon for a free ice cream or a bag of chips,” said Davis. “So it’s encouraging a community connection and community involvement and reading all summer long.”

In addition to prizes and coupons, all participants receive a free book upon registering.

Anyone in the Tri-town is welcome to sign up for summer reading.

“I know there’s a lot of people who might have their grandkids visiting them for the summer. If your grandkids are here for a week or two, bring them by the library. They can sign up for summer reading too. The more the merrier,” said Davis.