Community Corner

Have You Seen Seymour Simon? Wilton's Avid Readers Picked the Shelves Clean

Summer reading participation skyrocketed to 792 participants from 475 last summer. Andrea Falkner, head of children's services, credits a new online tool.

Wilton Library has a problem. Kids are just reading too much this summer. Head of Children's Services Andrea Falkner said that so many young students participated in the "Pages through the Ages" summer reading program this year that some of the shelves are wiped clean. 

"Cider Mill School made it mandatory that they read a non-fiction Seymour Simon book," said Falkner of the science book series. "He wrote 50 books and we own 70 copies at the library."

Falkner ordered additional copies throughout the summer, but but found it hard to keep up with demand.  "People kept coming in asking for  them."


With the theme "Pages through the Ages," the summer reading program participation jumped to a whopping 792 this summer from what was already a robust 475 last year. 

Previously students kept track of their reading with paper and pencil, which necessitated trips to the library in person. However, this summer a new tool called "Evanced," allowed virtual participation from a laptop or an iPad.

"A child could even be away in Japan and participate," said Falkner. "We are really proud of everybody."

Avid readers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Tots to Teens book sale, which runs Friday, Sept. 6th - Sunday, Sept. 8th.


 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here