Colleyville, Texas

 Colleyville, Texas… The slumping economy and spike in gas prices are firing up this town’s library. The Colleyville library’s summer programs are a huge success and attendance rates have soared for weekly programs.
“Last year we thought 300 was a lot of people,” said Library Director Mary Rodne. “This year we have had as many as 526 children, almost doubling our previous numbers.”  

             And it’s not just here. Libraries across the state are seeing record numbers, said Dona Weisman, continuing education and library programming consultant for the North Texas Regional Library System.

            “More parents are working from home or have been laid off and have time to actually bring their children to programs during the week,” Weisman said. “More libraries are showing movies with free popcorn, which is a lot cheaper than taking kids to a movie theatre."

             Colleyville’s jungle-themed summer spread has already enticed more than 1,136 young readers to Read, Explore and Go Wild. Enrollment has surpassed last summer’s total of 1,120 and there are still three weeks to go. Weekly programs have included story time, a visit from a real monkey and movies such as "Madagascar." Attendance to those programs has more than doubled.

             How it works: For every eight books or five hours a child records in their reading log, they can come to the library and get a T-shirt, stuffed animal or other prize. Logs will be collected Aug. 2 and grand prizes will be awarded at the grand finale Aug. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in front of the library. All can enjoy rides, games and prizes, and some jungle animals may also make an appearance.

             Between Monkey Cove Mondays and Fierce Fridays, children can enjoy live storytelling, a visit from a mad scientist or a real monkey and movies.