Nearly 7,900 participate in Henrico libraries' Summer Reading Challenge
Nearly 7,900 people participated in Henrico County Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge this year, collectively reading more than 64,000 books and logging more than 1 million minutes of reading.
The dinosaur-themed summer program attracted 7,884 participants, who logged 1,033,296 minutes of reading and 64,190 books, according to the library system. Participants also submitted more than 4,300 book reviews through Beanstack, the online platform used to track the challenge.
The annual program encourages children and adults of all ages to continue reading and learning during the summer. For school-aged participants, summer reading also is designed to help prevent the "summer slide," or the loss of academic skills during the break from school.
The Friends of Henrico County Public Library supported this year's challenge and its prizes.
Four participants were selected as grand-prize winners in different age groups.
Katie B., a Twin Hickory participant, won a set of 10 giant dinosaur toys in the pre-reader category. Daniel J. of Varina won a Creality K2 SE 3D printer in the children's category, while Calvin W. of Tuckahoe won a Nintendo Switch 2 with Mario Kart World in the teen category.
The adult grand-prize winner, an anonymous Libbie Mill participant, received a Bird Buddy Pro solar-powered smart bird feeder with a camera.
Each of Henrico's nine library branches also selected winners in four age categories.
Pre-reader branch winners were Heather H. at Fairfield, Henley H. at Gayton, Adil R. at Glen Allen, Samira B. at Libbie Mill, Artemis P. at North Park, Charlotte H. at Sandston, Vivienne G. at Tuckahoe, Blair C. at Twin Hickory and Inez M. at Varina. Each received a Bounce-Around Dino.
Children's winners, who each received an Arrma remote-control monster truck, were Elizabeth L. at Fairfield; Colin M. at Gayton; McKinzee A. at Glen Allen; William S. at Libbie Mill; Declan L. at North Park; Lola A. at Sandston; Jack R. at Tuckahoe; Liam S. at Twin Hickory; and Eli C. at Varina.
Teen winners received Lego Creator 3-in-1 dinosaur sets. They were Zoë H. at Fairfield; Reagan L. at Gayton; Adylyn C. at Glen Allen; Gus M. at Libbie Mill; Sophia B. at North Park; Emily S. at Sandston; Ben M. at Tuckahoe; Diya G. at Twin Hickory; and Lannie K. at Varina.
Adult branch winners received gift baskets assembled by the Friends of Henrico County Public Library. Winners were Shawn D. at Fairfield; Theresa L. at Gayton; Allison W. at Glen Allen; Serenity B. at Libbie Mill; Jessica P. at North Park; Meredith S. at Sandston; Elizabeth J. at Tuckahoe; Brittany A. at Twin Hickory; and Fantasy L. at Varina.
Participants who completed the Summer Reading Challenge also can collect finishing prizes at their libraries through the end of August. Pre-readers will receive a library tote and Reading Champ pennant; children will receive a drawstring backpack and pennant; teens will receive a water bottle; and adults will receive a collectible coffee mug.
The library also is asking participants to complete a survey about this year's program. Those who respond will have an opportunity to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card.
