#PGHREADS (A Lot)

Thanks to some high-profile help, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's summer reading program was a smashing success.

PHOTO COURTESY CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Summer reading is for more than just school kids. This summer, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh challenged Pittsburghers of all ages to read a combined 90,000 books. After the Summer Reading Extravaganza kicked off in June, residents hit the goal a month before the deadline of Aug. 31.

By summer’s end, more than 14,000 readers logged 150,244 books. Not only did readers crush last year’s total of 82,624, but the number of adult participants also increased by 200 percent — and that number included some local notables.

Inspired by old “Read” posters that featured celebrities, the library joined with Rick Sebak, rapper and activist Jasiri X, fashion designer Kiya Tomlin and internet star Curt Wootton, a.k.a. “Pittsburgh Dad,” among others, for posters, videos and social media posts for the #PGHREADS campaign.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Communications Manager Suzanne Thinnes emphasized the importance of adults acting as reading role models. “We always talk about children and teens going back to school ready to learn … but reading is for everybody, and reading is something that you do throughout your life as a life-long learner.”