Freeport Public Library reports 523 child registrants and 8,232 program attendances for summer reading season

Amanda Myers, youth services administrator at the Freeport Public Library, briefed the council on the library’s 2025 summer reading program and associated outreach. "We had 523 kids who were birth through sixth grade sign up for summer reading, which is a 5% increase over last year," Myers said.

Myers said 271 of those registrants completed the program (approximately 51%). She reported 8,232 attendances at all summer programs — in-library, outreach and passive programs — a 36% increase from the prior year. "We had 119 programs beginning in June through August 9," she told the council, and highlighted a strong kickoff turnout, scavenger-hunt participation and repeat weekly activities.

Program highlights included a June 9 kickoff that drew about 550 children and adults; 1,804 completed scavenger hunts over the summer; three slime events that together drew 493 people; and an average story-time crowd that rose to about 37. Myers said the library used a theme, Color Our World, and incorporated art projects, make-and-take sessions, outside story time at Debate Square and partnerships with local groups including Mac Camp through Hope Wins and the Stephenson County Fair.

Myers said attendance patterns have steadily increased since the library resumed full programming after the COVID-19 period. She described operational lessons — for example, the building’s electrical limits at a melted-crayon craft session — as manageable tradeoffs for high engagement.

Looking ahead, Myers said the 2026 summer reading theme will be "Unearth a Story" (dinosaurs) and that she already booked a performer. The presentation was informational; council members thanked the library for its outreach but made no formal policy or budget motion during the item.