Plumb Library is excited to announce that 249 kids, teens and adults who participated in the 2011 Summer Reading Program read 5,068 hours, surpassing our goal of 5, 000 hours!    From June 20th – August 30,  participants took part in weekly activities, read (were read to, listened to audio books,  e-books or playaways,) logged their hours online or on our calendar reading logs, and enjoyed an end of program celebration.  All readers were recognized for their efforts, but the top boy and girl readers from each grade level received small trophies.  Thanks to No Kidding, of Mattapoisett, two children received gift cards for being the most consistent library visitors.  By registering for our program, RMS students  were also reading for school, and a school ice cream social, which was held on Sept. 23.

We were very lucky this year to have so many sponsors, supporters and volunteers, who allowed us to not only offer lots of spectacular performers, but also special decorations, treats, and prizes.

Due to The Massachusetts Library System, The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Boston Bruins, and the National Collaborative Summer Reading Program, we were provided with many free materials and the online system, www.readsinma.org/rochester, where families could log their reading hours from anywhere!

Special thanks to the Massachusetts/Rochester Cultural Councils for funding Steve Rudolph's “Around the World with Magic”, and to the Friends of Plumb Library for funding the majority of our program needs, including our shows - Mad Science “Dinosaurs”, Creature Teachers  “ Animals Around the World”, Sparky's “Tales from Sea and Shore” Puppet Show, and Otha Day's “Drum to the Beat” family drum circle!

Special thanks to our new sponsors - Mayflower Bank, Target, Friendly's Express, Flagship Cinema, No Kidding, Baker Books, and Bev Loves Books for donating gift cards and other prizes!  And, a very special thanks to  KinderCare in Marion, for partnering with us to present our first summer toddler storytime, and 4 evening family storytimes.  Please let these sponsors know of our appreciation by visiting them, or referring them to others.

Thanks also to Lucille Morris and Candy Miller-Mitchell for agreeing to use our materials so that families could join one summer reading program, and receive double the rewards!   Thanks to our talented Junior  Friends for creating all our continents and helping out with programs with special thanks going to Megan Pierce, Haley Morrison, Bea Arnfield, and Elise Mello!   We are also grateful to all the families who let us borrow authentic cultural decorations,   baked for the final party, helped at the final party, or donated books or prizes!

And, of course, many thanks to all the families who participated in our programs and continue to visit the library year round!