On Saturday, March 18, the Manheim Community Library will be abuzz with the voices of readers. The library will host its inaugural Read-A-Thon, with guest readers sharing books on various topics in 15-minute intervals from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held in the library, 15 E. High St., Manheim.

"We're really excited about this," said Jes Wagner, community relations coordinator for the library. "It's a unique day designed to be about the library and the community. We're excited about partnering with organizations and people in our community."

Participants will include library staff members and local business owners, as well as local authors, including Mike Gerhard, David Hegedus and Trudy Sine, and Hillary Daecher. Representatives from the Manheim Borough Police Department, Manheim Fire Department and Northwest EMS will also read, as will Genna Eberly, the Manheim Farm Show queen, and Steven Courtney, a local musician. "We're encouraging our readers to read a book that relates to them or their profession," Wagner shared.

The event is designed to be a fundraiser for the library, with donation jars set up to encourage patrons to support the library, but donating is not required, Wagner said. "Everyone is welcome to just come and hear a story," she stated. Proceeds from the Read-A-Thon will be used to support library programming, she said, noting that about half of the library's funding comes from business sponsors, community members and the library's Friends group. "We definitely need the community's support in order to operate," Wagner said, noting that the day is also an opportunity for the library to promote its services in the community. "We don't have a specific financial goal for the day. We just want to spread awareness of the library and that we need your support."

In addition to donating at the library during the event, supporters can give online at https://manheimlibrary.org/read-a-thon or may text the word "READ" to 855-202-2100 to receive a link to give online.

Although the event is open to people of all ages, it's geared toward children and families as most of the books read will be picture books, Wagner said.

She encourages everyone to come out for the Read-A-Thon and noted that updates, including announcements of guest readers, will be posted regularly on the library's Facebook and Instagram pages.