1200 children and teens participated in the annual summer reading program at the Queen Anne’s County Free Library, topping all previous records for summer reading sign-ups.

More than 2500 people attended 82 programs for children’s and teens at the Kent Island and Centreville Branches during the seven weeks of summer reading. Pre-school story times, special performances, and children’s book and craft programs focused on the 2013 “Dig Into Reading” theme. Teens participated in “The United States of YA,” reading books set in the 50 states and joining in such events as book discussions, writing group, and cupcake contests.

Children’s summer reading bags included entry blanks for three prize drawings. Logan Rosekrans of Stevensville won 4 tickets to the August 19 Baltimore Orioles game and represented the county library at a special on-field ceremony. He and a parent were invited into the Orioles clubhouse before the game. Jacob of Centreville won a family membership to the B&O Railroad Museum. Jordan Sarier of Grasonville and Hailey Gill 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.

After completing three books, teens entered prize drawings. Amari McDyess of Stevensville and Brody Alderson of Centreville won $25 Amazon gift cards. Roshiya McDyess of Stevensville and Erin Shorts of Centreville won $25 iTunes gift cards. Courtney Kilchenstein of Stevensville and Sarah Worth of Centreville won $25 Rita’s gift cards.

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. Most prize books were purchased with a grant from Eastern Shore Regional Library in Salisbury. Other prize books are donated by publishers and community residents throughout the year.

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.