“Snow Many Books” is a particularly fitting theme for Rock Island Public Library’s Winter Reading program. Two challenges will motivate reading for all ages with rewards and activities from Jan. 12 to March 1, 2024.
Winter (Reading) is Here at the Rock Island Public Library: Between snowstorms and an upcoming holiday, “Snow Many Books” is a particularly fitting theme for Rock Island Public Library’s Winter Reading program. Two “Snow Many Books” challenges will motivate reading for all ages with rewards and activities from Jan. 12 to March 1, 2024.
Snow or no, winter is a great time to enjoy books for all ages, and library winter reading challenges are a great way to motivate everyone to read more. The library reading challenges include badges for competing various library or family activities.
Due to winter weather, the planned Snow Many Books program kickoff has been moved to Tuesday, Jan. 16 at the Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch Library, 2715 30th Street. Drop by after 10 am for hot cocoa, winter reading registration, and the chance to pick up a prize for signing up for the challenge.
Two age-based challenges are available: The birth through 7 challenge encourages children to earn rewards by tracking books that they read or are read to them. The goal is to collectively complete 3,000 books over the winter. The second challenge encourages ages 8 through 100 to earn rewards by tracking minutes read over eight weeks. The collective goal is to read 200,000 minutes.
To register, participants of any age can pick up either a paper reading log at Rock Island Library locations, or participate online program via the library’s Beanstack site or app.
Each reading goal or activity accomplished equals a virtual reading badge, which rewards participants with an entry for grand prize drawings. Kids ages birth to 7 can enter to win one of three "Snow Much Fun" baskets. Ages 8 through adult can enter to win $25 gift cards for Rock Island or Milan businesses, including Whiteys, Finn's Grill, QC Pancake House, Theo's Java Cafe, and Dunkin.
The RIPL winter reading challenges are open to all people and all ages. All reading counts towards reaching the challenge goals. For more details, see the library website, log into Beanstack, or pick up the paper reading log. Readers can enter and participate in any challenge at any time, with the finish date for all logging being March 1. The online version comes in both an app and desktop versions. Logging in one will automatically sync with the other.
With the Martin Luther King Day holiday coming on Monday, Jan. 15, that’s more time to start a great book. All Rock Island Public Library buildings will be closed on that day. Normal hours resume Tuesday, Jan. 16. Routes also resume on Tuesday for the Rock Island Public Library bookmobile, Library2Go. For hours and route information, visit the location page on the library website.
For more information about library events and services, visit the library website, call 309-732-7323 (READ,) or follow library social media pages.