The friends of Sherwood Regional Library wanted to thank the children who took part in the summer reading program at their branch, so they sponsored a thank-you party last week.

Two different sessions attracted about 200 children to an event that featured rubber stamping, paper flower-making, sponge painting and bracelet making. There were plenty of snacks on hand for the children, as well.

Joyce Zarkin, manager of the children's section, said that more than 2,000 children participated in this year's reading program, more than the year before.

"We try and make a concentrated effort every year [to increase the number of readers], said Zarkin. "This year we had something special," she said.

The new venture was called "West Side Stories," and was made possible by a grant from Exxon. It used the same concept as a bookmobile, except in this case an intern from the library was loading up her car and bringing books to Sacramento and Buckman Road Centers, Hybla Valley, Mount Vernon Woods, Washington Mill and Woodley Hills Elementary schools, some day care centers and early Head Start.

The intern helped the children apply for library cards so that they could borrow books and then gave them the forms to fill out for the program.

Pres-chool children were required to listen to 15 read-to-me books; K-6 needed to read 15 books themselves; and students in 7-12th grades had to reach a goal of eight books. Many of the children at the party had read more than the amount required; Serena Gillian said that she read more than 30 books.