Adopt-A-Library Reading Challenge Winners Revealed!

South Shore Public Libraries is proud to report that the students of Big Tancook Island Elementary School are the winners of the 2007/08 Adopt-A-Library WOW International Reading Challenge. The Honourable Karen Casey, Minister of Education will presented the students with the world championship trophy at a ceremony on the Island on Monday, June 16^th. The students at Big Tancook Island School read hundreds of books each between September 2007 and April 2008 to win the International Championship.

In Queens County, top honours go to Greenfield Elementary for reading the most books. Constable John Kennedy and South Shore Regional Public Libraries Public Relations Coordinator Teresa Workman presented the students with a plaque during a visit to their school on May 12^th. The students can be proud of their accomplishment, reading over 100 books per child during the contest.

Students from Newcombville, New Ross, New Germany, Mill Village and Dr. John C. Wickwire Schools also participated in the Challenge. Together they read a staggering 48,114 books.

Local students were not alone. 14,669 students from over 80 schools in four countries took part from November 13^th to April 5^th, reading almost 1.1 million books. They were encouraged and motivated to read by regular visits from municipal police, RCMP and public library staff. Community businesses provided support through donations of incentives and small prizes. School staff members ensured all children were reading at their age levels and also recorded the numbers of books read on the Adopt-a-Library website, www.fightingcrime.ca.

Lahinch National School in County Clare, Ireland wins second place with over 400 books read per child. In third place, it's Furghlan National School in County Clare, Ireland.

The Challenge is operated as part of Adopt-a-Library which is a partnership of police, public libraries and the community. The goal is to fight crime at an early age through literacy. For complete results of the Challenge, go to www.fightingcrime.ca. If your school is interested in participating in the Challenge in the 2008/09 school year, please have the school administrator call Teresa Workman at 543-2548.