Ridgefield 'Digs' Reading: More Than 30,000 Books Read This Summer

The pages of Ridgefield Library's books are getting some serious wear and tear this summer — and in the best possible way.

The library's summer reading program, which ends Aug. 10, is racking up impressive numbers.

"We are entering our sixth week of the program (it ends Aug. 10), and currently 126 adults, 319 teens, and 1,294 children are taking part," reports Geri Diorio, the Head of Children's Services and Teen Services Librarian.

And if the number of participants doesn't get your attention, consider these stats: 

• The adults have read 364 books. 
• The teens have read 5,840 books. 
• The children have read 26,699 books. 

(The library counts every 100 pages as a book for the teens and children.)

"Also," Diorio says, "we have 36 teen volunteers who are helping us with the children’s program. They work in 2 hour shifts, helping the little readers track their books and get their prizes. We couldn’t do the program without their help."

As an incentive, teens and children are offered prizes, which get better as they read more books. For children, in the program dubbed "Dig Into Reading," 10 books will get them a summer reading poster, while 50 scores them a gift certificate to the Toy Chest. 

Pizza, ice cream and gift cards are the prizes for teens, as part of their program, "Beneath The Surface." And one lucky grand prize drawing winner will get a ride to school in a limo.