Martin, grandmother to 16, ages 8 months to 22, looked to embark on a different summer journey, the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library Systems Loving Our Libraries CCLS Road Trip 2022. So, into a very large vehicle they would go — Robby Martin and Marty Fenton, both 9 years old, and Jay Martin and Clint Fenton, 8 and 6, all of Sinclairville.

The road trip consisted of visiting 38 public libraries throughout the two counties. Each participating child received a passport that got officially stamped at each location. Martin and her grandchildren traveled over 500 miles from July 18 through Aug. 31 visiting 33 of the 38 designated sites.

“Our kids today have lives cluttered with tablets and phones so we as a family thought it was important they got to experience the many wonderful libraries we have in our community,” said Martin. “I was amazed how all the library buildings have a different look and feeling once you walked inside. Each was filled with books and treasures for all to see.”

“I didn’t really like reading before going on the library tour and now I found I like chapter books especially Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” said Robby Martin.

Jay Martin, 8, checks out the books on an old-fashioned library ladder.

“I read a lot more now because of our visits,” said Marty Fenton. “It helped me get ready for the new school year and I got to read more comic books.”

The family would visit seven to eight different libraries taking up a full day for each trip. A highlight of the tours was viewing the large mural of James Prendergast at the Jamestown Free Library.

“I really liked seeing all of the different buildings and how the books were set up inside,” said Jay Martin. “One day we even saw my other grandmother and her friend at the library getting their own books. That was very cool.”

“I like to read more now and playing with the Legos and the comfy chairs was fun,” added Clint Fenton.

The family hopes to visit the last five libraries to complete each passport once football season is finished.

Pictured is library memorabilia collected on the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library Systems road trip this summer.