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Photos: Library Hosts Ice Cream Social
Melrose children rewarded for 16,000 hours of summer reading with ice cream, a new tree.
The Melrose Public Library marked the end of its summer reading program Thursday afternoon by hosting an outdoor ice cream social for members of the chilren's and young adult Summer Reading Club.
Children's Librarian Marianne Stanton said that their previous end-of-summer celebrations were so popular that the Library felt it had to do it again this year. Over 120 Melrose residents flocked to the Library lawn for a little afternoon treat, which was made possible due to the generosity of the Friends of the Library.
In sticking with this year's theme of "Go Green at Your Library," many attendees brought their own reusable bowls and spoons to reduce waste.
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When the summer reading program began back in June, the Library set a goal of 10,000 hours for participants, promising to plant a new tree somewhere on the grounds if that goal was met. In the end, readers smashed that goal with over 16,000 total hours. The Library will plant the new tree as soon as it determines the most suitable location.