Now that the hot weather is here to stay and most schools have ended their classes until autumn, both students and their parents are kicking off all kinds of summer plans. Luckily for members of the Solanco community, Quarryville Library, 357 Buck Road, recently announced a full roster of events and activities to fill the long summer days.

On June 1, the library launched its Summer Reading Program with a community event that included live entertainment, music and crafts. Attendees were also able to sign up for the program. During the launch day, 50% more people signed up for the reading challenge than last year, which set the previous record for the number of registrants. Until Saturday, Aug. 10, participants in the 2024 Summer Reading Program may complete reading challenges to earn various prizes. The Quarryville Library will offer a free book to each reader who completes the program.

"We always track how many people sign up for the first day. Beforehand, the library staff members take a poll to guess the number of sign-ups. Nobody even came close," said Sharon Roche, the library's program manager.

Roche partially credited the large turnout to the number of people who have moved to the area in recent years, in addition to many participants in the infant and toddler programs getting older and looking for new activities. Although the Quarryville Library was unable to sustain its full slate of programs during the coronavirus pandemic, Roche has steadily restored many activities and expanded library offerings over the last three years.

The number of participants in the Summer Reading Program isn't the only thing that has sharply increased this year; thanks to a grant from Dollar General, the Quarryville Library is able to offer a larger variety of prizes to readers who complete challenges. The grant funding will allow the library to purchase books to give out as prizes, and other prizes include items from several local businesses such as Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, Strasburg Rail Road, McDonald's, Isaac's Restaurants and Penn Cinemas.

The library will kick off three book clubs for separate age groups at the end of June. The Beginning Readers Book Club will start on Wednesday, June 19, followed by the Tween/Teen Book Club on Thursday, June 27, and the Kids Book Club on Friday, June 28. Online registration is required for each club.

For more information, visit https://quarryvillelibrary.org.