The Bruce C. Clarke Library closed out their summer reading program with their annual Beat the Heat Celebration Saturday at the library.
The program lasted for six weeks. According to Lacie McMillin, library technician, 598 people singed up for the program with 421 patrons logging reading minutes. There was a total of 307,079 minutes logged with 229 summer readers reaching their goal and completing the program.
McMillin said despite a shorter duration, this year's program was a success.
"We had almost as many participants as past years, which demonstrates how popular our program has been. Each event has had great attendance, our patrons are having fun, and the kids are leaving our library with smiles," McMillin said.
This year's program theme was "Read for the Win," and was designed to help patrons be more active. Throughout the program, events included dancing, kickball and even the Beat the Heat Mini Olympics.
"Many of our activities, like our cereal medals and Road to Rio Competition, were in the spirit of the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro later this summer," McMillin said.
The celebration included numerous games and crafts. Participants even had the chance to cool off with the St. Robert Fire Department providing plenty of water to play under in the parking lot.
Awards were also given to top readers in separate categories with the grand prize being bicycles.
Bicycle winners in each category were: Age 0 to 2, Andrew Davenport; age 3 to 4, Theo Eke; age 5 to 8, Wendy Felix; age 9 to 12, Elizabeth Anderson; age 13 to 17, Hilda Aliksa; and adult, Samuel Kamau.
To be eligible for the bike drawing, participants had to reach their top reading goal of number of minutes at each level.
"Beat the Heat was so much fun," McMillin said. "Thanks to all of the Marines and Soldiers who volunteered. Everyone had a blast playing games and getting active. With the help of the Saint Robert Fire Department, we all truly 'beat the heat.'"
McMillin said although the program is over, library staff members are still available to help keep Families reading.
"Come over to the library to find a few riveting reads to keep your mind sharp for the new school year," she said. "We're always happy to help you find the right book."
The library has their Road to Rio event continuing through Aug. 5. This program gives patrons the opportunity to use fitness devices to log miles and keep active, with the goal of logging enough miles to make the virtual trek to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for the Olympics.
"We have managed to get two people to Rio for the Olympics," she said
"We would like to get as many as we can, so we want to encourage those who have been participating to still send in their mileage. Also, anyone who hasn't participated and wants to, still has plenty of time to get registered and have their mileage logged."
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