COOS BAY, Ore. - 80 days, that's how long Coos Bay Library is hoping it will take to get kids excited about reading, through a new independent reading program.

From now through May 21, all Coos County preschoolers through 12th graders are encouraged to participate in the library's independent reading program, "Around the Library in 80 Days."

Sponsored by the Friends of The Library, the program, which has been going strong for close to 25 years, encourages children of all ages to pick up a book and get reading.

"Kids can do it in their own time at their own pace, they can do it at home. Parents get involved and help the children with their reading and indeed do the reading for the younger children. We hope to promote literacy and a love of reading that way," says Children's Librarian Pat Flitcroft.

She says the way it works is fairly simple.

Kids just need to pick up a form from the Coos Bay Library to get started, and simply have to read 20 minutes a day from a book of their choice.

She says there are also some pretty great prizes they can win if they stick with it.

"We have got gift certificates from Wal-Mart and Fred Meyer and all sorts of other things that are in the display case as you come into the children's department, prizes are coming in all the time."

For more information about the reading program call the library at 269-1101 or just stop by.