MidPointe Library System's "Unearth a Story" summer reading program wrapped July 31 with 8,530 participants across the system, which includes the West Chester branch on Centre Pointe Drive.
The dinosaur-and-archaeology-themed program ran for two months starting June 1 and offered free activities, prizes and events for all ages. Staff held 433 programs that drew 17,816 total attendances, according to a recap posted by the library on Monday, Aug. 24.
Beyond the branches, MidPointe's Outreach Department reached more than 3,000 people during the two-month program. The department added a new Lobby Stop to its schedule. Lobby stops and community events alone reached 1,800 people, with just under 1,300 of them children.
At the Middletown location, the library partnered with the USDA and Children's Hunger Alliance to serve 630 free lunches during the program window.
One raffle prize stood out.
Winners of a personal Bookmobile visit invited family, friends and neighbors to browse and check out books curbside. Participants tracked their progress in an "Unearth a Story" Adventure Log, available for pickup at all library locations or for download at midpointelibrary.org, to earn prizes along the way.
A core aim of the program is preventing the "summer slide," the loss of one to three months of reading progress students can experience when school is out. The library said the program is open to all ages but focuses especially on keeping young readers on track.
Morgan Ward, who authored the library's recap, wrote that the library thanked participants and community partners and that staff are already planning for Summer 2027. MidPointe's fall 2026 program guide is available now on midpointelibrary.org and in person at each branch, including the West Chester location at 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.
Upcoming at MidPointe Library
- Fall 2026 programming is underway; full guide at midpointelibrary.org or at the West Chester branch, 9363 Centre Pointe Drive.
