Story provided by Stillwater Public Library
Readers of all ages are invited to make like a penguin and waddle to the Stillwater Public Library to sign up for this year’s winter reading program “Read, Learn, Waddle, Win,” starting Monday, Dec. 13. Participants will be challenged to complete a Bingo card with Library and book-related activities to earn prizes.
The winter reading program is designed to incentivize reading during the upcoming school breaks for students, holiday vacations and colder weather. Elizabeth Murray, children’s librarian, hopes that families will use these opportunities to snuggle up with a good book.
“Of course, it is important for kids and teens to keep up their skills over winter break, but we want to show everyone, even adults, that reading can be relaxing and fun,” Murray said. “It’s a good way to refocus and take some time for yourself, or to connect with friends and family by reading stories out loud.”
Bingo activities include building a blanket fort to read in, exploring hobbies, visiting the StoryWalk and reading with a hot drink like cocoa, tea or coffee.
“We tried to incorporate a little bit of something for everyone,” Murray said. “Reading is the biggest component, but there are also activities that involve physical movement and learning new skills.”
Registration begins on Dec. 13. After signing up, readers can pick up a Bingo card at the Library or download and print one from home via the Library’s website. Each age group – kids, teens and adults – will have a card with age-appropriate activities and reading challenges. The goal is to complete as many challenges on the Bingo card as possible before the program ends on Monday, Jan. 31.
Participants earn a small prize for each Bingo row completed, with a maximum of four prizes total. Super readers who blackout the Bingo card will earn a larger prize and get an entry into the grand prize drawing. At the end of the program, a grand prize winner for each age group will receive a $50 gift card to the local bookstore of their choice courtesy of the Friends of the Library.
As a bonus, library visitors will also have the opportunity to win a small prize just by coming to the Library and spotting this year’s winter reading mascot, a stuffed penguin (its name is yet to be determined). The penguin will be hiding in the stacks. Visitors who locate the penguin can bring it to the Help Desk to get a small prize. In upcoming weeks the Library will request community input on social media to name the penguin.
Visit http://library.stillwater.org or call (405) 372-3633 x8106 to sign-up for “Read, Learn, Waddle, Win.” Library staff can also help patrons register at the Help Desks. The winter reading program is free, open to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. Library hours are Monday- Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.