Summerland students are checking out more than just books

If the shelves in the Summerland school library seem a little emptier this year, there's a good reason.

Circulation numbers are already soaring past last year's total ... and it's only February.

According to media specialist Tricia Whiting, students checked out 9,261 items during the entire last school year. As of Feb. 12, they've already surpassed that mark with 9,714 circulations.

"We are way up!"

That surge reflects something Whiting sees every day: a building full of readers who are eager to talk about books, swap recommendations and come back for more.

Graphic novels, old favorites and pl...