This summer, Rowan Public Library had more than 1,500 children and teens register for their summer reading program “Every Hero Has A Story.”  Children read more than 15,000 hours.  Teens read more than 13,000 hours. Collectively, registrants recorded more than 28,000 hours of reading during the seven-week program.

A key component to the program is having participants record the hours they read.  Incentive prizes are awarded to children up to fifth-grade when they read 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 hours. Teens are eligible to enter raffles based on the number of hours recorded.

To further reward and encourage reading during the summer, RPL and First Bank are awarding the First Annual RPL Summer Reading Reader’s Cups to the elementary, middle and high schools whose students recorded the most hours of reading during the summer reading program. Winning schools will receive a trophy cup sponsored by First Bank to put on display in their media center from September through June of the current school year. In June, cups will be returned to Rowan Public Library until the Second Annual Readers’ Cup winners are announced.

Winners of the First RPL Summer Reader Readers’ Cups are Woodleaf Elementary, North Rowan Middle School and Salisbury High School.  Winners were announced at the Sept. 28 Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education meeting. Library Staff will be presenting the trophies and award certificates at the winning schools in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location — RPL Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South Rowan Regional, 704-216-7728; East Branch, 704-216-7842.