Eight teenagers put down their phones, folded up their beach towels and turned off their televisions this summer and picked up a book instead.

In fact, they picked up hundreds of books, maybe thousands. But the teens weren’t interested in breaking any reading records – they were interested in donating their time to the Cedartown Library.

Together, the teens volunteered over 400 hours and helped out with checking in materials like DVDs, videos and books.

They also helped with craft workshops geared towards children participating in the library’s summer reading program and assisted in handing out prizes.

Library Children’s Coordinator Jessica Perry said the group of eight volunteers was the biggest she had seen.

“We were just really impressed with the number of volunteers this year. They helped us out so much,” Perry said.

The volunteer work the teens applied for this summer has grown in popularity, Perry said.

“It used to be kids didn’t want to come out and help. But now it’s kinda like the cool thing to do in the summer.”

Perry also said that one of the volunteers, Jennifer Cornejo, helped served their Hispanic patrons.

“She is bilingual, so that was great. She was able to serve our Hispanic patrons better.”

The volunteers began volunteering May 23 and up their service on July 29.

The library can be reached by calling 77-748-5564.