Makenna Hilliard, 12, of Butler, works on her artwork during the Butler Area Public Library YA Summer Challenge Kickoff Luau on Tuesday at the library, 218 N. McKean St. Hilliard chose a dolphin to color and shrink. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Makenna Hilliard plans to spend her summer off from school tackling books about dragons and mythological creatures.

Along with the enjoyment she gets from reading, Makenna, 12, of Butler, also will earn points she can redeem for prizes at the Butler Area Public Library, which kicked off its annual summer reading program Tuesday.

“I’m excited for summer reading,” Makenna said. “I consider myself a reader; I do the program every year.”

The library kicked off its program for young adults in fourth to 12th grade Tuesday with a luau in the “Wave Cafe,” where Makenna and others drew pictures, hula hooped and learned about the summer reading program.

The goal of summer reading for all age groups is to earn 10 badges on Beanstack, a digital reading application where users can log books and their reading time.

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