3.35 Million …

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – When the Muskingum County Library System challenged the community to read 2.5 million minutes for their Summer Reading Challenge, the community answered with nearly a million minutes more. 

MCLS Assistant Director Stephanie Freas was impressed by the way the community pulled together to surpass the goal but reminds readers that the Read Your Socks Off Reading Challenge is still underway. 

“But the reading doesn’t have to stop here at all either,” Freas said. “We are continuing reading programs throughout the year through our Beanstack app. Right now we have a really fun one called Read Your Socks Off. So if you read so much throughout the year, you get a free pair of socks. Who doesn’t want free socks?”

Freas says reading isn’t limited by age and that adults can not only benefit as well but set a positive example by having younger generations seeing them engaged in a book.

“Our adult new reader collection that we have, it’s part of our Adult Learning Center. This is new with the John McIntire remodel and what’s wonderful about it is we have a whole variety of books and resources available for people who maybe aren’t as excited about reading as those of us in the library day-to-day. But reading is fundamental, you know it’s part of figuring out what your prescriptions are, or driving, or going to the grocery store. So if you ever have any struggles with reading, we have resources for you,” Freas said.

Some children never outgrow their curious mindsets, which is why the Muskingum County Library System has so many resources available for people wishing to learn at any level.