Courtesy photo This is a cake that helped celebrate the 40th anniversary of Alpena County Library's READ program.

ALPENA – The Alpena County Library’s READ Program celebrated 40 years of service to the community. The library has been a continuous supporter of adult literacy not only with its extensive collection of books but also with its programming. Throughout the years, the READ Program has assisted over 400 adults in improving their reading skills, studying for their GED, and/or learning to read and speak English as a second language. Over 200 volunteer tutors have been the backbone of this program since its inception in 1986.They have donated their time and talents to work individually with adults to help them achieve their goals. In 2025, READ volunteer tutors donated over 960 hours. Using the Independent Sector’s estimated  value of a volunteer hour, READ Program tutors have donated more than $33,550 to this worthwhile program.