Hundreds Sign Up For Huntley Library's Really Big Summer Reading Extravaganza

Three-year-old Ashton Joob picked a really big book to read Monday afternoon at the Huntley Area Public Library, an appropriate pick given the library’s summer reading program is really big.

Hundreds signed up for the library’s Really Big Summer Reading Extravaganza, which runs until Aug. 4, for the love of reading and a few really big, and not so big, prizes.

Huntley library gets between 3,500 to 3,700 people sign up every year for its summer reading program, said Doug Cataldo, library communications assistant. It’s one of the largest programs in the area, he said.

As of Monday, 602 children were signed up, 144 teens and 177 adults, said Leigh Ann Porsch, communications/development coordinator.

The children’s program features weekly prize drawings and two grand prize drawings, one for an overnight stay and water park passes at Coco Key Water Park in Rockford and another for a Centegra pool party for 24 people.

There are other prizes children can get by earning $1,000 Big Reader Bucks.

“We are trying to bribe them all the way,” children’s librarian Anne Kunzen said.

Huntley has a record of coming up with winning themes, many of which are emulated by other libraries, Cataldo said.  Last year, its theme was Reading is Sweet. This year, the Illinois Library Association’s program is called Reading is So Delicious, he said.

“It’s nice to be a trend setter,” Porsch laughed.

The message behind the library’s unique themes is to create a love of reading and encourage children to read during the summer, Porsch said. There are many events planned for the summer to promote the reading program.

There was a little guy, about 3 or 4, checking out with his mom the other day, she said. He told her “‘Reading is so much fun,’” Porsch said. “It’s fun to hear the kids say it, unsolicited.”

The Lau family, Jack, 8, Charlotte, 5 and Maggie, 4, all like to read and all registered for the summer reading program. Jack picked out two books, including one Goosebumps book.

Charlotte is heading off to kindergarten but can already read.

“Now, we are moving onto big books,” their mom, Heidi, said.  “She just enjoys reading.”

Ashton, too, is developing a love of books, especially ones of carts and trucks. His mom, Amy, and sister, Arianna, 7, picked out so many books that Amy’s bag broke. This is the second year Arianna is participating.

“Her reading improved a lot,” Amy said of the summer reading program. “It was really helpful. It helped (her) develop a love for reading.”