GREENFIELD — Reading has always been rewarding, but a new points program kicking off this month at the Hancock County Public Library promises more incentives than ever.
My Library Rewards, similar to other business rewards programs, will track patrons’ checkouts, whether they are books, DVDs or audio books. Library patrons earn points for each item then can redeem the points for gifts and discounts at local businesses.
The program begins Monday and will be ongoing with continually updated offers, said library assistant director Barb Roark.
Patrons can sign up at the library’s main desk or during checkout, where they will be prompted to sign up. When checking out items, rewards members will be notified of the points values of their items on their receipt.
Patrons can earn up to 100 points per week, and points do not expire, Roark said.
To see what businesses are participating or redeem rewards, patrons may visit mylibraryrewards.com. There are three tiers of rewards listed on the site — third-tier rewards are discounts, second-tier rewards are buy-one, get-one offers, and first-tier rewards are free gifts.
Tier 1 rewards usually cost 300 points, Roark said. Once a patron has clicked on a reward online, they have 15 days to redeem it, she said.
New Palestine resident Wayne Pool, who was perusing DVDs at the library Wednesday, said he’d come to the library to pick out books and movies without rewards, but he appreciates the library’s perk program for those who enjoy an incentive every now and then.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for those who want to take advantage of it,” he said.
Roark contacted many of the same businesses who participated in similar programs, like Library Discount Month, in the past to see if they would take part in the My Library Rewards program.
Wings, Etc., in Greenfield, was one of the businesses that hopped on board.
Nickoli Leyh, general manager, said he likes that the program encourages people to read.
“It’s also a great marketing opportunity,” he said. “I might get people in here who haven’t been here before.”
Wings, Etc., is offering two rewards through the program — 10 percent off an order (no alcohol) and a free appetizer with purchase of an entree.
Leyh said he hasn’t selected a third tier reward yet because he wants to see how customers react to the current discounts first.
Rewards can be changed, and new businesses can be added, as the program will be ongoing, Roark said. Businesses will receive a monthly report of what rewards were redeemed.
There are restaurants, gyms, salons and retail businesses in Hancock County currently taking part, but rewards members can redeem rewards at any participating business, even those outside Hancock County, Roark said.
Local rewards include free pizza, frozen yogurt, haircuts, bowling and more.
My Library Rewards has several participating libraries in Central Indiana, including in Mooresville, Brownsburg and Plainfield.
Patrons are not required to take part in the rewards program, Roark said, but she added that she believes participating will make having a library card more valuable.
“We want to show the connection and the importance of reading,” she said. “Reading can take you places, but it can also physically take you places and be rewarding.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”By the numbers” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Book, 0-50 pages: 2
Book, 51-100 pages: 10
Book, 101-200 pages: 20
Book, 201-400 pages: 30
Book, 401 or more pages: 40
DVD: 2
CD: 2
Magazine: 10
Audio book: 10
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