ALABASTER – The Albert L. Scott Library recently celebrated the end of its 2017 summer reading program, “Build a Better World” on Wednesday, July 12.

The celebration began at 10:30 a.m., with a show by Huntsville-based comic and magician Russell Davis. Kids who attended were also able to get their faces painted and participate in a prize drawing.

During the summer, students who participated in the summer reading program were challenged to read throughout the summer and keep track of their progress in reading logs. The kids were able to pick a reading goal and receive prizes, including entry into a drawing for a bicycle, along the way.

By the second week of the summer reading program, nearly 500 children had been registered. Parents were able to continue to register their children throughout the program’s duration.

According to a press release from the Albert L. Scott Library, the purpose of the summer reading program is to foster a love of reading and learning in children and involve their families in the process.

“The goal of the summer challenge is to encourage children to read for pleasure when they are not in school,” the press release read. “Parents and caregivers [were] invited to participate by reading to their illiterate children.”

The press release stated that the program was supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Albert L. Scott Library also thanked the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Birmingham Barons Baseball, Bike Link, Friends of the Library, Oak Mountain Lanes, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Sonic and Whataburger for their sponsorship of this year’s program.