It was a perfect October evening for families to read under the lights! Lima City Schools kicked off their first family literacy event of the school year with "Reading Under the Lights" on Lima Senior High School's Joe Bowers Field. On Tuesday evening, families and their kids were able to grab some popcorn and sit on the field reading classic children's books and going over sight words, parts of speech, and grammar. There were also various games for the kids to play and to run around the diamond. On Tuesday evening, we talked with two Lima Senior students to get their insight on why these nights are important.

After a summer of uncertainty, a huge swarm of bookworms lined up and dashed through the aisles as the AAUW Book Fair kicked off Tuesday! Residents and travelers perused thousands of books ranging from children's books to large novels of non-fiction, romance, and many more genres. There were also games, DVDs, and even sheet music. The book sale is important to the community as money raised will go toward college scholarships for area girls, a tradition since 1957. This year, AAUW presented 14 scholarships of $1,500 each. The book fair is a Lima staple, and organizers are happy to bring it back another year especially after worrying if a location was available.

They have taught thousands of students among them, and they are helping others to teach future generations. The Allen County Retired Teachers Association awarded 13 teachers with grants totaling $3,100. The money was used for projects that encourage students to learn in different ways, from flashcards to sensory tables to graphic novels.

Things were getting a little wild at the Alger Public Library as they're getting ready for a summer of reading. An exotic zoo out of Michigan came down to give the kids and adults a firsthand look and was even able to touch a wide variety of animals, including a baby ostrich, an owl, and even an alligator, before they signed up for the summer reading program. 

Youngsters in New Bremen are kicking off the summer with reading and fun. The New Bremen Public Library kicked off its annual summer reading program with a party for kids of all ages to interact with the community. As the kids arrived, they had the chance to read books, play games, and get creative with coloring. The library also provided hot food and refreshments for families to enjoy. The New Bremen Fire Department, police department, EMS, and local trucking companies were on hand for the Touch a Truck program. The free program runs from June 1st through July 15th, and there is no deadline to register. As times and technology change, getting kids to read has become more of a challenge—a challenge that the library doesn't shy away from.

Ohio State students help the Spartan Ride make sure the students have a good book for the summer. The Education Club donated 70 books to the Spartan Ride that they bought with money they raised from a Scholastic Book Fair they held this past school year.  The students will be able to take the books home and keep them, and they cover a wide range of reading levels, from picture books to chapter books and even some comic books.