[OPLINLIST] Summer Reading Club summary

[wharper@milan-berlin.lib.oh.us]

After hearing from 25 different libraries, I figured it was time to post a summary.  In general, kids count hours and YA's count books.  For YA programs, 2 count hours/minutes; 10 count books (most often with a weekly/raffle prize ticket for each book read); 5 count pages; and 1 offered the option to count books or time.  For children's programs, 11 count hours/minutes; 6 count books; 1 counts pages; and 4 do a combination of books and time.  

A few comments and ideas really stood out.  A few libraries that count books acknowledge the difference between a picture book and a chapter book by saying 50 pages equals 1 book (for example).  A couple different people shared the comment that counting time doesn't penalize older or better readers for reading less books.

Prizes described were all very different.  Some folks offer trinkets from places like Oriental Trading Company.  Others offer coupons from local businesses.  Some libraries have Friends groups who purchase large prizes for raffles.  Other libraries have bigger businesses sponsor prizes for all kids like t-shirts.  Some libraries even offer books as prizes for reading...imagine that! :) 

Thanks for all of the input.
Wendy Harper, Director
Milan-Berlin Township Public Library