Get ready for the Saline County Library’s annual Winter Reading Challenge, November 25, 2024 through January 31, 2025. All three library branches are participating and it’s for all ages.
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This program encourages everyone to read. The Library says “reading is reading,” and that means every kind of media and story. It could be traditional prose books, illustrated comic books and graphic novels, and even narratives on television – they all count towards trackable goals, with prizes to be redeemed.
The adult Winter Reading Challenge will have a tracker of reading goals throughout the time period, with milestones of reading any amount for 40 days, reading over 30 minutes for 40 days, and completing 10 books. Participants can track their own progress and complete at home.
There will be prizes for achieving each of these reading goals, available at all library branches:
For reading for 40 days, participants will receive a Book Buck, redeemable for one dollar off of a book at the Friends of the Library used bookstore at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library branch location. Most books range from ¢ 50 cents to $2.00 dollars.
For reading for over 30 minutes for 40 days, participants will receive a winter mug.
For reading 10 books, participants will receive a tote bag.
In addition, the Saline County Library will run a Winter Watching Challenge for adults. Prizes can be redeemed watching movies, including:
For watching any 25 movies, participants will receive a winter mug.
For watching 10 movies from the AFI 100 list, participants will receive a tote bag.
Anyone with a Saline County Library card can watch movies on digital services Kanopy and Hoopla for free. Patrons can find all downloadable apps accessible with a library card by clicking on the “Downloadables” link under the “Discover” menu of our website, www.SalineCountyLibrary.org. Library card holders also have access to a large selection of DVDs and BluRays to check out and help complete their Winter Watching Challenge goals.
Finally, the adults can participate in the Winter Writing Challenge, with prizes redeemed for reaching goals for writing, including:
For attending 8 Quill and Chill programs at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library branch in Benton, participants will receive a book buck, redeemable for one dollar off of a book at the Friends of the Library used bookstore at the Bob Herzfeld
Memorial Library branch location. Most books range from ¢ 50 cents to $2.00 dollars.
For writing for 40 days, participants will receive a winter mug.
For writing 25,000 words before the challenge ends on January 31, participants will receive a tote bag.
“Winter is the perfect time to curl up and watch a good movie or read a cozy book. Why not earn prizes for doing it?” said Laura Austin, Saline County Library Adult Services Manager.
The youth Winter Reading Challenge will have a tracker of reading goals throughout the time period, with goals for reading for 15 days, 30 days, 45 days, and 60 days. Participants can track their own progress and complete at home.
There will be prizes for achieving each of these reading goals, available at all library branches:
For reading for 15 days, participants will receive a book.
For reading for 30 days, participants will receive one toy from the treasure chest.
For reading for 45 days, participants will receive an additional toy from the treasure chest.
For reading for 60 days, participants will receive a third toy from the treasure chest.
“Part of the goal of Youth Services is to provide every reader with the book they need when they come in. Sometimes, that is a book on a certain level about a certain topic. Often, that means finding a book that supports their interests whether it’s “on their level” or not.” Said Wendy Christy, Saline County Library Youth Services Manager. “For our reading challenges, we want to focus on the latter. All reading is good reading, even if you have read a book or series multiple times before, even if it’s below your level, even if the book is mostly pictures. During Winter Reading, our goal is foster a love of reading, and that means encouraging kids to read what they want to read because it’s fun.”
The Saline County Library has been serving the residents of Saline County since 1931 and has three locations: Benton, Bryant, and East End. Each location provides wireless access computing as well as desktop computers for guest use and several other non-traditional items such as video games, cake pans, small tools, and more. The Saline County Library also provides a variety of events and community outreach programs. For a full list of services and upcoming events, visit www.salinecountylibrary.org or call 501-778-4766. For more information about our Winter Challenge programs and the library, including our hours for each location, visit www.SalineCountyLibrary.org.
See MySaline’s big list of all the Saline County events at www.mysaline.com/events.
