Staff Writer
HOULTON — TD Banknorth is paying youngsters to read during their summer vacation this year, through a program with the Cary Library. 
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
READING FOR FUNDS — Summer-reader Anessa Wilde looks for a book in the children’s section of the Cary Library, while her sister, Teadora looks on. The children are taking part in a summer reading program sponsored by TD Banknorth.
TD Banknorth is sponsoring a summer reading program for Houlton children at the Cary Library this year by donating $10 to each kid who participates.
“I think it is fantastic, it’s a great opportunity for the kids … and is an incentive to read,” said Cary Librarian Linda Faucher.
The program runs all through the summer up to September 30. Kids who join the program are given a planner to keep track of their reading. After a child reads 10 titles during the summer he or she takes their tracking planner to the bank where they are signed up for a new bank account fresh with an automatic $10 endowment from the bank. 
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
READING FOR FUNDS — Librarian Linda Faucher, back left, and TD Banknorth representitive Julie Delano, back right, stand with Alexander and Anessa Wilde. The brother and sister duo were the first children to sign up for the new summer reading program at the Cary Library, which is sponsored by TD Banknorth.
“I think its pretty good. I did the reading program last year and I didn’t get paid, I’ve never gotten paid for it before,” explained 6-year old summer-reader Alexander Wilde excitedly.
The bank hopes that by offering children money as a reward for reading, it will encourage them to keep up the good habit. Kids appear to happily agree that by paying them they will be much more likely to read during their summer vacation.
“I’ve never heard of any other program working like this,” explained Faucher. “They are adding to the kids’ education by encouraging them to read through the summer in this way.”
TD Banknorth started the program statewide this year. The program ties in well with Cary Library’s annual summer reading program because, according to Faucher, most kids involved in the reading program of years past read more than 10 books anyways. This should make it a fairly simple process for children signing up for the new program.
For more information, or to sign your child up for the program, visit the Cary Library, or call at 532-1302.
