Library Watered Adult Minds Through Reading Program

Citing the popularity of the adult summer reading program this year, Library Director John Malar told Patch this week he intends to continue it next year, budget allowing.

While the Cranford Library has always encouraged kids to hit the books and join the reading programs provided by the American Library Association, adults joined in for the first time this summer.

It ran from June 10-July 31 and about 120 adults overall registered. After July 31, a library drawing for various prizes patted participants on the back, including two grand prizes, each consisting of a $100 gift certificate to Garlic Rose.

"I thought it was a fun thing the library was offering and I wanted to support the library with their new project," Marie Mastorakis said, a program participant and the recipient of one of the grand prizes. She is also a member of Friends of the Cranford Library and an avid book lover. Of her interest in reading, she said, "I think it opens up a lot of avenues for you, it opens up the world for you, it gives you new ideas and new thoughts."

The American Library Association provides the program to not only Cranford, but to libraries nationwide in 48 states, program coordinator Sally Hanford said. Another organization, the Collaborative Library Summer Program, came up with this year's theme for the adult summer reading program – "Water Your Mind." The logo, a water can, suggests that reading helps adults to nurture and grow intellectually.

Plucking books from an exhaustive list that included everything from new to classic works, adult members individually read their way through the season. After completing a book, many handed in a requested review of the book, along with a rating. The highest rating a book could receive is five water cans (the equivalent of five stars.) Some reviews were then tacked up on the library bulletin board, along with a photo of the hardback book.

Although ALA provided the framework for the program, it was Hanford's idea to host it at the library. She asked Malar if she could coordinate it on a freelance basis in March. Malar said he agreed quickly, as he'd been considering hosting an adult program himself for some time. 

"She couldn't have asked me at a better moment," he said. "There's no reason why adults shouldn't have fun too."

A summer reading program for both children and teens is also held annually at the library, he said, and it has a practical aspect to it. Getting kids to read during the summer improves academic grades in school. "Studied have found repeatedly that summer reading programs help children retain reading skills."

However the adult program isn't nearly as practical: It's simply for "pure enjoyment," Malar said.