CHENANGO COUNTY – BOOKS (Books Open Opportunities for Kids to Succeed), a program funded by a state grant from Senator Tom Libous, will host a “Halfway There” party at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Arena Club in the Broome County Veterans’ Memorial Arena in downtown Binghamton.

BOOKS with Senator Libous has taken a unique position on reading programs for children for nearly 10 years. Rather than a reward for the number of books read, the program rewards readers for the time spent reading. The theroy in doing this is that it will persuade children to choose more challenging reading material and encourage struggling readers to read more.

According to the BOOKS program website, “It goes without saying that every parent wants their child to be successful in life, and the best way to do that is for your child to become a successful reader. Children who read well tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, get better jobs and become better earners.”

Reading Rewards is a year-round reading incentive program for preschool and school-aged children that provides them with free passes and gift cards to local museums, sporting events and businesses as rewards for time spent reading or being read to.