The Valley Regional Library in Morris wrapped up their reading program this week.

Suzanne Giesbrecht, the Student Library Clerk, said the three different programs encourage reading over the summer, so students can perform better academically when returning to school in the fall.

The first program is the Rodeo Reader Program, where 30 participants signed up and recorded their reading times on a sheet. They would then be entered in for tickets to the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition.

The Kids on the Corner program, and the TD Summer Reading Program were also led by Giesbrecht, and are very similar but involve different age groups. She found the programs were popular for ages three to twelve, although all ages are welcome.

Compared to last year, Giesbrecht found there were more participants. She outlined what a normal day would look like.

"We run a themed story and craft time for one hour a week. They would come in, we'd sit down in a little corner and have a story. Then we'd often have a craft right after, sometimes we had a film... they were all themed to go with ours for Canada's 150th," she said.

They also played a variety of games, she added.

The wind-up, which took place Wednesday, involved crafts, stories, party hats, a pinata, prizes and games.

"I had a kid tell me that 'this year's wind up was the best one ever.'"

Next summer, people can get involved by going to the library and signing up. "We'll give you all the information you need," said Giesbrecht.