Over 950 children and 180 teens participated in the annual summer reading program at the Queen Anne’s County Free Library, more than doubling last summer’s registration and breaking all previous records for summer reading sign-ups.

More than 1700 people attended programs for children’s and teens at the Kent Island and Centreville Branches during the seven weeks of summer reading. Pre-school story times, LEGO builds, and children’s book and craft programs focused on the 2012 “Dream Big—READ” theme. Teens participated in book discussions at the Centreville Branch and a writing group at the Kent Island Branch, both of which continue into August.

Children’s summer reading bags included entry blanks for three prize drawings. Kayla Halbig of Chester won 4 tickets to the August 6 Baltimore Orioles game and represented the county library at a special on-field ceremony. She and a parent were invited into the Orioles clubhouse before the game. Jack Mulligan of Stevensville won a family membership to the B&O Railroad Museum. Casey Gessert of Stevensville and Cade Bouchat of Centreville each won 4 tickets to the Maryland Science Center. The prize tickets were donated by the Orioles, the Science Center, and the Downtown Partnership in coordination with the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development and Services.

All summer readers were invited to bring completed reading logs or game board to the libraries in exchange for a free prize book at the end of July. Prize books are donated by publishers and community residents throughout the year.

“Dream Big—READ!” t-shirts featuring Sneaks the Library Cat are still available at the libraries in limited quantities and sizes for a reduced price of $3.50 each.

For more information about summer reading or upcoming events for children and teens, please contact the Centreville Branch, 121 S. Commerce St. and the Kent Island Branch Library, 200 Library Circle, Stevensville. Additional information is available at the library’s website (www.quan.lib.md.us) or by calling (410) 758-0980 or (410) 643-8161.