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Summer Readers donate prizes to local animal shelters

Kelsy Been
Garfield County Libraries

The Garfield County Libraries’ 2013 Summer Reading Program was hugely successful, with more than 4,800 kids, teens and adults participating in the program. Not only did more people participate in this year’s program than in years past, but hundreds of those participants donated their prizes to a good cause.

Each week, participants were offered a variety of prizes for reading, including free books, toys, certificates to local businesses for free goodies, and, for the second year in a row, an option to “donate” a cup of dog or cat food to a local animal shelter. Garfield County readers were incredibly charitable this summer, with lots of participants wanting to give rather than receive a prize for themselves.

Prizes were awarded for each level, which is based on reading a certain amount of time per day. Out of the more than 12,500 levels read and prizes awarded, almost one-fifth of those prizes were donated in pet food. That means the Garfield County Libraries are donating more than 2,100 cups of cat and dog food to its local shelters on behalf of its summer readers.



For all teens and parents of children who participated in the Summer Reading Program, don’t forget to complete a library survey about this year’s program. We’re even raffling $25 Visa gift cards to 12 survey respondents. Parents and teens are encouraged to go to http://www.gcpld.org through Aug. 29 to access this survey and for a chance to win.

And if you didn’t get a chance to participate in this year’s program, make sure you watch for next year’s program, which will surely offer exciting programs and prizes. In the meantime, don’t forget to keep reading.



Several local businesses and groups supported this cause by helping to fund the cost of the pet food. A big thanks to Walmart, Target, Clark’s Market, and the New Castle Friends of the Library for the support. Additionally, the Garfield County Libraries want to thank the program’s major sponsors: the Aspen Community Foundation, the Garfield County Federal Mineral Leasing District and the South Side Conservation District.

Banana Split Book Club

Teens! Join us for the book club that combines reading and discussing good books with delicious banana splits. This club will meet at the New Castle Branch Library at 1 p.m. today. For more information, call 970-984-2346.

Library closure

The Glenwood Springs Branch Library’s last day open is Friday, Aug. 16. Stop by, enjoy lemonade and cookies, and check out some last-minute materials. After closing at 5 p.m., the library will remain closed while library staff prepare to open the new Glenwood Springs Branch Library on Saturday, Sept. 14. During the closure, we’re offering extended checkouts: All books magazines and DVDs that aren’t due before Friday, Aug. 16, will be due on Friday, Sept. 20. All holds will be available at the New Castle Branch Library during the closure. Call 970-945-5958 for more information.

Pianist Amanda Gessler in concert

The Carbondale Branch Library is pleased to host the renowned pianist, Amanda Gessler, at 3 p.m. Saturday for a special concert. Following the performance, the library will honor all library donors at a small reception with refreshments. Gessler is known for her deeply insightful and emotionally charged performances across the United States and Europe. She currently resides in Virginia where she is an active performer and student of John O’Conor in the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Shenandoah University.


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