GREENFIELD — The Hancock County Public Library wants its patrons to read to the rhythm.
Throughout the month of February, the library is offering winter reading clubs for children, teens and adults with a rhythmic and musical theme, said Hancock County Public Library communications director Kitty Smock.
The library held a winter reading group for the first time last year, which was so well-attended that library staff did not hesitate to plan the event for a second year, Smock said.
Last year, for the family club, 577 people registered and read for 25,000 minutes. For teens, 45 registered and read 369 books. For adults, 127 registered and read 529 books.
There will be prize drawings for the adult and teen winter book clubs — library staff have created five themed prize bundles for the teen book club, and for adults, there are eight $25 gift cards to area businesses. For every book teens or adults read, they can fill out a slip and enter to win the prizes, Smock said.
The goal of the children’s winter reading club is to get families reading aloud, Smock said. All groups are encouraged to register online and log the books they read or the hours they read aloud. Patrons can receive a small prize for each hour they read aloud.
In addition to encouraging reading with prizes, the library is also hosting a variety of music-themed events through February.
To cap off the month of musical events, the library will host a drum circle for the first time, Smock said. Percussionists Karen Cole and Ben Phelps will be in the center of the circle.
The library will provide up to 50 drums for those who attend, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own percussion instruments, Smock said.
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The winter reading club at the Hancock County Public Library includes several music-themed events for children, teens and adults.
Feb. 4:
4 p.m., Greenfield: Teens, use recycled sheet music, canvas, and paint to make a fresh and lyrical work of art to hang on your wall.
Feb. 8:
4 p.m., Greenfield: Kids in grades K-5, create music at the library. Learn about wind instruments.
5 p.m., Sugar Creek: Kids in grades K-5, create music at the library. Learn about wind instruments.
Feb. 9
2 p.m., Sugar Creek: Home-schooled kids in grades K-5, Kids in grades K-5, create music at the library. Learn about wind instruments.
Feb. 10
4 p.m., Greenfield: For teens: a “Rock Band” video tournament that features different incarnations of the console game. This is a multi-skill competition–from “no fail mode” all the way to “expert.”
Feb. 11
7 p.m., Greenfield: Three of Indy’s finest musicians, Michael Beck, Seth Jenkins and Dane Dye, the Tides Trio, blend unusual instruments and vocals into creative arrangements of familiar songs from the sixties to recent decades.
Feb. 12
4 p.m., Greenfield: Ages 9-12, learn about different music styles from around the world. Then make a kazoo and windpipe to play in our home-grown band. All supplies are provided.
Feb. 16
4 p.m., Greenfield: Kids, grades K-5, “Just Dance” competition
4 p.m., Greenfield: Teens: you’ve seen “The Cup Song” performed in movies like “Pitch Perfect.” Now perform it with a group of peers! Using plastic cups and other unlikely household instruments, play games of rhythm and music.
Feb. 17
4:30 p.m., Sugar Creek: Kids ages 4-8, dance the hour away with fun activities and music. Learn some new, silly dance moves.
Feb. 22
7 p.m., Greenfield: Harpist Jan Aldridge Clark performs contemporary music with composer/guitarist Casey Harshbarger and percussionist Michael Beck.
Feb. 24
4:30 p.m., Sugar Creek: Kids ages 4-8, dance the hour away with fun activities and music. Learn some new, silly dance moves.
Feb. 26
6 p.m., Greenfield: Join us for HCPL’s first-ever winter ball for teens inspired by the Yule Ball from “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Dance the evening away with friends under floating candles. Ball attire is encouraged, casual dress is welcome. Selfie stations with costume props will be available.
Feb. 29
7 p.m., Greenfield: People ages 12 and up are invited to participate in a community drum circle where you make the beats.
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