The Elizabeth Taber Library’s “Fizz Boom Read” summer reading program ended on a sweet note Thursday afternoon.

“Let’s dig in!” said Children’s Librarian Rosemary Grey before parents and kids were served at the program’s final activity, an ice cream social held in front of the library.

“We do this every year to celebrate with all of the children who read and those who read for a good cause,” she said.

Courtesy of a grant secured by Grey, Eastern Bank agreed to donate $1 for charity for even hour a child read.

“We’ve been printing money,” she said, adding that fake bills representing the money earned for charity were taped to a bulletin board in back of the library to track progress.

As in past years, the funds raised are donated to the Heifer International program. The nonprofit group purchases livestock for families who then use the animals to supplement their incomes.

“The kids are always so excited for this charity,” she said. “They can’t wait to see the pictures of the families with the animals when they’re mailed to us.”

Grey said the money raised hasn’t been counted yet, but that participation in the program was “astronomical” this year.

“We’re very pleased with how many kids joined,” she said.

There was more to do than read throughout the summer. On Wednesday afternoons from the end of June through July a variety of activities were offered. Kids had the option of creating a faux lava lamp using vegetable oil, soda bottles, food coloring and other materials.

On July 2, bicycles were decorated in red, white and blue streamers ahead of the town’s Fourth of July Parade. Other activities included, making tie-dye T-shirts, arts and crafts and creating a mini robot.

“It’s been a really great summer at the library,” Grey said.