Jackson, WY – The Teton County Library announced that its annual summer reading challenge not only met but exceeded its target of 2 million minutes of reading. From June 1 through August 9, 1,427 community members logged a combined 2,292,706 minutes, averaging roughly 26 hours per participant, according to Adult Programs Coordinator Leah Shlachter.
Participation and Demographics
The challenge attracted a diverse group of readers: 490 adults, 76 high school students, 192 middle‑school students, 548 elementary‑school children, and 121 preschoolers. While the total number of participants was slightly lower than last year’s 1,469, the higher average minutes per person made this year’s cohort the most productive.
Popular Titles
Readers gravitated toward a mix of classic and contemporary works. The perennial favorite Harry Potter series topped the list, followed by Allen Levi’s Theodore of Gold, Kathryn Stockett’s The Calamity Club, Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear, and Richard Powers’s environmental novel The Overstory. The library noted that these selections appealed to a broad age range, encouraging families to read together.
Community Feedback
Shlachter shared several comments collected from participants. One adult said the challenge “makes me feel like a little kid again” and prompted her to choose a book over her phone. Another family highlighted the friendly competition, noting, “It’s cool to compare my reading minutes to my husband and children.” Parents also appreciated the tradition of entering their children’s minutes at breakfast, while a participant admitted, “I learned that I respond to incentives!”
Incentives and Raffles
To keep momentum high, the library held weekly raffle drawings for gift cards to local businesses. The prizes not only rewarded readers but also supported the surrounding economy, reinforcing the library’s role as a community hub.
With the challenge now concluded, library staff are already planning next year’s program, hoping to engage even more residents and continue fostering a love of reading across generations.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
