To bring the summer reading programs to a close at the Durbin Public Library, Green Bank Public Library and Linwood Community Library, the librarians chose to take a ride on the rails on the Durbin Rocket.

“Here in Durbin and at Green Bank and at Linwood, we found ourselves doing about the same thing, and when I requested the train trip, the other librarians wanted to go in with me,” Durbin librarian Nancy Egan said.

Children ranging from ages three to eight participated in the program and had to read at least 10 books to ride the train.
“We accepted that if the child sat through books at the age of three, that would be considered their ten,” Egan said.

To personalize the train ride, Egan printed individual tickets for the children, with 10 slots, representing the books they read. Once the tickets were punched or initialed, it was official, they reached their goal.

From the three libraries, 23 children participated in the train ride, which was a first for most of them. They enjoyed the sites and the unique train cars, including the two hideaway cabooses that were left behind at the end of the track for a weekend getaway.

Egan said she hopes the reward becomes an annual trek and is grateful that the Durbin Rocket was accommodating to the group.

For more information on reading programs, call Durbin Public Library at 304-456-3142, Green Bank Public Library at 304-456-4507, Linwood Community Library at 304-572-2665, McClintic Public Library at 304-799-4165, or Hillsboro Public Library at 304-653-4936.