By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

MT LAUREL—In a little less than two months, kids participating in the Mt Laurel Library’s Summer Reading Program racked up some impressive statistics. The program drew 159 participants who read a total of 5,732 books and logged a whopping 39,819 minutes of reading, almost double last year’s numbers.

“It’s super!” Mt Laurel Library branch manager Kate Etheredge said of the impressive statistics.

Although the Mt Laurel Library has held a summer reading program every year since 2010, this year was the first in the new library building. The 1,664-square-foot building has plenty of space for crafts, games and programs.

“We’ve just been able to do more,” Etheredge said. “This year we were able to do a kickoff party.”

Kids’ program attendance nearly doubled this summer as well, with nearly 1,100 kids attending. Etheredge also noted growth in adult programs and attendance, from two programs with 19 participants last year to six programs and nearly 180 participants this year.

After a busy summer of programs and reading, the Mt Laurel Library “takes a step back” in August and resumes regular programming, story times and crafts in September.

For more information about the Mt Laurel Library, visit Mtlaurellibrary.org.