Cape Girardeau Public Library had the highest participation ever in its summer reading program, with 1,384 children reading 19,932 books.

The nine-week program for children and young adults ages 2-18 encouraged each participant to set a goal to read a certain number of books over the summer. They received coupons from local restaurants for every five books read.

Each participant who reached his goal received a free book and was entered into a drawing for a bicycle. The library received a United Way grant to purchase the books, and four bicycles were donated by VFW Post 3838 and its auxiliary and the United Commercial Travelers Council 534.

Bicycle winners were Carmen Schull, Adam Collier, Nadia Cox and Dontay King.

The library, located at 711 North Clark, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.