Instead of the usual closing party in the Göttenbach auditorium, the certificates and raffle prizes were presented to the successful children and young people there as part of an 'open afternoon'. "This format has proven its worth during the coronavirus pandemic and has also been well received by parents," reported library manager Sandra Ley.
During the event, Mayor Frank Frühauf and Leonhard Stibitz from Kreissparkasse Birkenfeld - one of the sponsors of the reading promotion - also dropped by to hand out certificates and prizes to the children. "The Summer of Reading is a permanent fixture in the vacation season and I would like to thank the ladies of the city library and the sponsors for their commitment in organizing this great event," emphasized Mayor Frühauf.
In addition to KSK and Vereinigte Volks- und Raiffeisenbank eG as well as a private donor who support the raffle, the Bürkle Foundation and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate also support the summer of reading with funds for the purchase of new books. "In addition, the city also provides its own funds, which enabled us to buy around 200 new books for children and young people this time," reported Sandra Ley. That was slightly less than in previous years, which is due to the considerable increase in the price of books.
In preparation for the summer of reading, the city library organized the 'book profile' and 'book duel' activities on its premises. Eight classes from the 5th and 6th grades of the two Realschulen plus took part. This year, 226 children and young people were registered for the Summer of Reading itself, while 62 children aged 3 to 6 took part in the Summer of Reading aloud. Successful participation requires at least three books to be read by the children themselves during the summer of reading and at least three books to be read aloud during the summer of reading aloud. This was achieved by 179 children and young people during the summer of reading. Together they read 1,451 books with a total of 170,431 pages. An interview is also conducted for each of the books read. "We received excellent support from the volunteers Silvia Bugner-Riske, Brigitte Sommer, Christine von der Burg, Christiane Wayand and her daughter Pauline. The full-time employees wouldn't have the time to conduct these interviews," said Sandra Ley, thanking the helpers for their welcome and necessary support. The helpers were also active in handing out the certificates and prizes, ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
During the summer of reading aloud, which took place for the second time this year, 47 participants met the requirements and were able to collect their certificates from the library. The children and young people also received a slush ice cream from the large ice cream machine and in the basement of the library they were able to have their faces painted and decorated with glitter tattoos by Sabrina Hoffmann.