JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A library has stopped giving Harry Potter fans a certificate from the fictional boy's wizardry school because parents and churches complained the gimmick exposed children to witchcraft.

A branch of the Jacksonville Public Library gave the "Hogwarts' Certificate of Accomplishment" to about 200 young fans who attended a party July 8 to celebrate the release of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." The book is the fourth installment in the wildly popular series by British author J.K. Rowling.

The certificate, meant to encourage children to read, honored its recipient for completing a term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the school young Harry attends. The books feature Harry fighting against the forces of evil, aided by spells, flying brooms and magical instruments.

After learning of the certificates from his church, John Miesburg complained to the Board of Library Trustees and the Jacksonville City Council, and contacted Liberty Counsel, a religious rights organization.

"We don't want our children to be exposed to witchcraft," said Miesburg, a father of six. "If they are going to pass out witchcraft certificates, they should promote the Bible and pass out certificates of righteousness."

Library director Kenneth Sivulich called the certificates a "harmless gimmick" but said the practice was stopped July 19 after several parents complained.

"It was taken out of context." Sivulich said. "Witchcraft means something different to people who have read the books."

Last year, the series topped the list of books that parents or certain groups have tried to strip from library shelves, according to the American Library Association.