The Friends of the Ocala Public Library invite all readers and library lovers to participate in the 5th Annual Read-A-Thon, as readers, fundraisers, or sponsors. Volunteers will be reading between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on August 3, in the HQ-Ocala Public Library lobby. This year’s book is Carl Hiaasen’s Hoot, a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Newbery Honor Book winner. Hoot features a kid and his new bully, alligators, some burrowing owls, a renegade eco-avenger, and several extremely poisonous snakes. Welcome to Carl Hiaasen’s Florida — where the creatures are wild and the people are wilder!

The event is the culmination of an online fundraising campaign now underway. Supporters can donate to the fundraising pages of the family and friends already participating, or they can create their own fundraising page. Donations can also be given at www.justgiving.com This year’s goal is $15,000. The Friends will use this to help support library programs for patrons of all ages, continuing education for our library staff, early learning initiatives and many other library-related activities and resources. Anyone interested in participating can contact Vicky Nelson at 352-427-3963 for more info.