CRETE | It's not too late to sign up for the adult/young adult summer reading program at Crete Public Library.

Participants can win prizes ranging from a $20 gift certificate for Scrementi's to a $50 gift certificate for Best Buy.

The summer reading program, themed "Carry the Torch for Summer Reading" in honor of this year's summer Olympics, is easy to join.

Those who are interested can sign up for a reading log at the Reference Desk, keep track of the books they read and check in once a week. The library staff members will stamp the log, give a weekly drawing entry form for each book read, and another entry form for the grand prize of the winner's choice. There's also a prize just for participating.

Grand prizes this year include a Night at the Races at Balmoral Park, a $50 Best Buy gift certificate, a golf package to Balmoral Woods, a gourmet gift basket with gift certificates to Walt's, a gardening basket with gift certificates to Santa Fe Landscaping, a design consultation with InFocus Design, a paperweight/nightlight from Lotton Art Glass, and an Anime/Manga gift package.

There is no requirement for which or how many books are read - magazines and audiobooks also count.

The library is hosting several programs this summer such as Lunch & a Movie every other Friday, an arthritis and wellness discussion, a trip to the Shedd Aquarium, a first-aid workshop and the monthly Knot Just for Knitters group.

For more information about library programs, call the library at (708) 672-8017. The Crete Public Library is at 1177 N. Main St., Crete.

Visit the library's Web site at www.cretelibrary.org.

- THE TIMES