Terri Nalls is giving a presentation at the college in Magnolia, Ark., a small town located just above the Louisiana line.

"They are very interested in trying to replicate the community involvement in reading that Tifton has achieved," Nalls said.

Nalls, media specialist at Charles Spencer Elementary, said that the college's teacher education program was interested.

"They wanted to find out how we had been able to involve the community in reading," Nalls said. "They feel like if they can get their teachers and media specialists excited about reading and into the schools and get the community involved, that was what they needed to do."

Nalls said that when teachers and media specialists there were back in school, some conference calls would be set up so discussions could continue.

"We'll give them some ideas," Nalls said.

Nalls said the summer reading program at the Reading Center was very successful.

Students and adults passed 15,183 tests for a total of 22,175.7 points.

"We had 1,178 participants," Nalls said. "We surpassed last year's totals in every area.

"It's so much fun to see everyone excited about reading."

A total of 27 local churches participated in the "Church Challenge" this summer.

Participants took AR tests on the Bible books of Ruth or Esther.

A total of 147 church members passed tests.

Northside Baptist Church took first-place honors and First Baptist Church and First United Methodist Church tied for second place.

Tifton readers have passed 2,235,315 tests and earned 2,751,231.4 points toward the AR goal of 3 million points.

"We appreciate students and parents for taking time out of their busy summer to enjoy a good book," Nalls said. "Let's keep reading and keep Tifton the 'Reading Capital of the World.'"

To contact city editor Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.