Over 20 families attended “Storytime with Mayor Reynolds” at the Bethlehem Area Public Library Main location on Church Street, as a part of the library’s Summer Reading programming.

Mayor J. William Reynolds greeted the families, telling the children he was delighted to read for them. He recalled attending story time at the library himself, though it was on the first floor then.

“I grew up here in Bethlehem with my four brothers and sisters,” he said. “We went from Thomas Jefferson ES to Northeast MS to Liberty HS.”

Reynolds read five stories to the children. Coloring activities followed for those kids who preferred to color.

Story time began with a picture book about a construction site, apropos since the area outside the library is still under construction.

Reynolds’ years of public speaking served him well, as he proved to be an engaging reader.

Though he initially declined to read a book about mayors, the final story he read was “LaRue for Mayor.”