Prizes, Prizes, Prizes

Extra! Extra! This is the last week for a chance at winter prizes for children, teens, and adults.

Children must read aloud, or be read aloud to, for fifteen minutes a day for twenty-one days, after which they are eligible for a small prize. Children 2-5 years old who complete twenty-one days' of reading may register for the "Winter Reading Preschool Party" on Friday, March 1st from 11am-12pm. Story, craft and activity stations, along with special guests, will be available for the entire family of readers.

School-aged children in grades K-5 who complete fifteen minutes of reading a day for twenty-one days may register for the first ever “Night at the Library” on Friday, March 1st from 6-8pm. Zionsville firefighters, police officers and more will present a readers-theater. Craft and activity stations will be available for the entire family of readers, and we'll have delicious pizza and dirt pudding, too.

For teens in grades 6-12 and adults 18+, we made winter reading a piece of cake this year by eliminating the need for computers or passwords. All that teens and adults have to do is write down anything they have been meaning to read, or anything they are already reading, on a personal Challenge Sheet. When we say "read anything," we mean it: magazines, newspapers, cookbooks, short stories, long novels, textbooks...you name it. Ebooks, journal articles for research, the Twilight series, War and Peace, books assigned for school, mysteries, biographies...anything. Turn in the Challenge Sheet at the second floor Reference Desk at the Library by 5pm on this Sunday, March 3rd. Teens will have a chance at winning one of FOUR prize baskets. Adults will have a chance at winning ALL of the prizes displayed in the Sixth Street window.

Good luck and thanks for supporting the Library -because by participating in our programs, reading and otherwise, you support us. Did you know that? You help our state statistics and all sorts of other statistics just by joining in the fun. Your participation says to everyone, "My library is important to me." It doesn't get any easier than that.

Challenge Update

Hopefully everyone reading this has signed up for Winter Reading.  With nothing to download and no passwords to remember, it's easier than ever for both adults and teens.  Just stop by the reference desk and ask for a Challenge Sheet and write down your challenge.  It can be to read for 30 minutes a day or read a book.  The fantastic thing about this is people who are not book readers can win a fantastic prize basket.  How?  Let's say you read The New York Times every Sunday, or maybe you love Rolling Stone (the library carries both), just because you are not reading a book doesn't mean you are not reading.  Well, some of you may be wondering how I am doing on my reading challenge.  I am the over ambitious librarian who is reading 30 books that other people have picked out.  Sadly, I have read two and am currently working on two more.  Like everyone, life gets in the way and I was asked to help a friend move out of state and came home to a husband who said, "We're going to install a new ceiling fan in the kitchen tonight."  Now while it appears I may not reach my goal of 30 books by March 3rd, I'm still going to turn in my Challenge Sheet because I'm still reading.  Here's a quick review of the two books I have finished so far.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper: I listened to this on audiobook.  It is about a girl with cerebral palsy and while people think she's not smart based solely on her looks and actions, she is likely one of the smartest people in her grade.  When so many people have an idea of who you are, how easy is it to change their mind?  With a fish on the cover jumping out of a fish bowl, I had no idea what I was reading/listening to, but I enjoyed it.  Realistic fiction is right up my alley and it was a pretty good read.  I had to laugh because at the end of the book was a suggestion for another realistic fiction book I read and enjoyed, A Mango Shaped Space by Wendy Mass.

Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star by Rachel Renee Russell: This book is the third in what is currently a series of five books.  I have given this book to many people and say, "It's like Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for girls.  The drawings are a bit more sophisticated than Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but the story is just as fantastic.  References to a pesky little sister and phrases like, "That's what I wanted to say, but I only said it in my head so no one heard it but me."  If you or a loved one is looking for a quick, funny read, this is for you.  Don't believe me?  I challenged a coworker to read it for her reading challenge.

So there you have it, my reviews so far.  How is your challenge coming along?

Pop'n Rocks and Prizes!

At the Library, we strive to make live easier for you.  We are happy to help you find a fiction title to read or perhaps even find the knitting or crochet section to help motivate you back into your favorite hobby.  Well, Pop'n Rocks and Prizes is for teens in grades 6-12 and college students and it is really, really easy.  Starting Monday, January 7th, pick up a Challenge Sheet at the Reference Desk on the second floor and we will give you a package of Pop Rocks and a free book.  On the Challenge Sheet, write down your reading goal for the next eight weeks.  This could be to read a book not assigned for school, to read that book you received as a gift a few years ago, or even to get through that stack of magazines on your desk.  Just write it down and then check off as you go.  Sunday, March 3rd will be the last day you can turn in your form to win one of four prize baskets!  No computers and no passwords, just reading for fun and prizes.