Ice cream and goody bags ended the 2019 Summer Reading Program at the Oxford Public Library on Aug. 7.

That’s what the kids who read for at least 25 days since June received during a celebration to honor their efforts.

A total of 709 kids, ages 3-11, registered for the program, which ran from June 7 to Aug. 2, according to Kim Burean, head of the youth services department. “That is not the highest we’ve ever had, but that’s up there,” she said.

Combined, the kids read for a total of 13,632 days, a feat which Burean called “very impressive.”

Ninety-one children each read for 50 days, while 339 each read for at least 25 days.

Burean told the kids doing all that reading over the summer will make them “stronger” students when school starts later this month.

For every five days of reading they did, the children earned a special coin, which could only be spent in the Summer Reading Program’s bookstore.

According to Burean, more than 2,689 coins were distributed and as of Aug. 7, a total of 940 books had been sold.

“We probably will end up selling about 1,200 to 1,300 books altogether,” she said.

Burean indicated that “99 percent” of the books were donated by people whose shelves at home were “overflowing” or their kids had “outgrown certain books.”

“We appreciate children’s book donations anytime you have them,” she said. “It allows us to keep that bookstore going.”

In addition to reading, the program saw 2,151 people attend youth programs over the summer, while the daily scavenger hunt resulted in 928 check-ins, meaning participants found items hidden within the library.

During the celebration, Burean expressed her gratitude to the adults in the room for “making time to come to the library and support your kids’ education.”

She also thanked parents and grandparents for “sharing” their kids with library staff.

“We love your kids,” Burean said. “They bring us joy every day. We love getting to know them.”