NATCHEZ — As summer nears an end in Adams County, administrators at the Armstrong Library are glowing in the success of their summer reading program.

Children’s Librarian Janet E. Minor said the library has seen tremendous growth in the program every year for the past six years.

“Last year we had 301 children from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, this year we have 465,” Minor said. “It’s a great improvement for us, and it shows parents are taking a greater interest in their children reading. It’s wonderful.”

Minor said when she considers this year’s program one child, Mickey Hogan, exemplifies what the program is all about.

While Hogan, 5, is not reading on his own just yet, he and his fellow students from Presbyterian Play School next door make trips to the library and are reaping the benefits of being read to, Minor said.

“I like “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty,” all the Disney books,” Hogan said holding his arms open wide to show how much he loves the stories.

And when Hogan talks about how much he loves the stories his eyes light up as soon has he broaches anything scary or haunted he has heard about.

For several minutes he recounts a mishmash of several stories he has been read and all their villains.

“I love all the scary parts,” Hogan said rasing his hands.

While Hogan is still learning to read, he’s excited about learning more.

And for Minor, that’s the whole point.

“If we can get them in here and get them excited about reading, then they will want to learn more on their own,” Minor said. “That’s what we want.”

Minor said she’s sure the reading program and Hogan’s parents, Dan and Jeannie, reading to him at home have made him a more thoughtful and creative child.

“We’ll read a story and he’ll say ‘What if it ended like this,’ and he always has good ideas. They make sense,” she said.

To be eligible to receive an Armstrong Library card, a person must be able to prove they live in either Adams or Wilkinson counties and have a have a photo identification.

Mississippi residents living outside of Adams or Wilkinson counties must pay a $10 fee.