HANCOCK COUNTY — If the array of prize packages available for being an active participant in this year’s Hancock County Public Library’s summer reading program doesn’t motivate you to pick up a book and read, there’s something wrong.
“Tails and Tales,” active as of June 1, runs through Aug. 1 at both branches of the Hancock County Public Library, offers programs for children, teens and adults.
The library uses an app called Beanstack to chart reading progress. The extremely user-friendly website guides you through. Just by registering, you earn an e-ticket. Log your minutes, and minutes add up to hours. For every hour spent reading, you’ll earn another e-ticket. Adults can log minutes spent reading books, graphic novels, magazines, ebooks, newspapers, children’s books or listening to audiobooks.
“You can read the back of the cereal box or the longest novel in the world,” said Cody Flood, access services manager at the library. “We don’t care what you read, as long as you’re reading.”
And what can you win? The prize packages are mind-blowing. No more the little plastic whistles and bookmarks. Adults can win an “Ultimate Pizza Party” for the winner and nine friends at Carnegie’s, or a $50 camping gift pass for Indiana State Parks along with the ingredients for S’mores; two readers will win “Retail Therapy” with $25 gift cards to Ella June’s, Francis + Fern, Wooden Bear, and Greenfield Chocolates; someone will win a gift card good for four people to enjoy 90 minutes of ax-throwing at Ragnarok in Castleton; someone will win $100 gift card and a 60-minute private gaming session for six at Hitherto Coffee and Games; and three lucky people will win the Library Super Fan pack with a camp chair, an umbrella, a tote, a chip clip, a license plate cover, pens and pencils and a Cat’s Meow miniature library.
The slate of prizes is every bit as diverse and amazing for the teen crew: multiple winners of gift cards to Amazon, Apple, Hometown Comics, Evolution VR, the Legacy Cinema, Old Navy and a Shauna Marie Photography Package. The rules are the same — read and log your minutes to earn the e-tickets, and after 10 hours, teens automatically win a paperback book.
And, oh, to be a kid! Gift cards to Dairy Queen, Frosty Boy, Mozzi’s, the Legacy Cinema. One lucky winner will win a 68-inch backyard splash pad or a family membership to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. Twenty kids will win five passes to the Indiana State fair. Two kids will win a bike. Are you registered yet?
Youth services manager Cathy Riley looks forward to a library full of kids. She offers a service called Readers’ Advisory, where she engages children to share with her books they’ve already read.
“We have what we called ‘read-alikes,’” Riley said. “When kids are looking for a book to read, we’ll ask what books or authors they have enjoyed reading. This information helps us suggest read-alikes. Some of the best conversations to have with kids are about books they’re excited about.”
But summer fun at the library doesn’t end with e-tickets, reading minutes and prizes. Cathy Riley, youth services manager, promises weekday fun programs outside in the fresh air.
Every Monday in June, a different children’s activity will take place beginning with “Stuntology” on June 7. Stuntologist Sam Bartlett presents the art of exploring the mysteries of the physical world by playing with everyday objects. Participants can learn them and amaze their friends. On June 14, the “Rope Warrior,” David Fisher, who holds the Guinness World Record for a jump rope performance, will dazzle audiences with his jump rope moves. His jumping speed has been timed at over 100 mph. On June 21, everyone’s favorite, Amazon John will be back with interesting creatures and unusual facts about the animal world. On June 28, the Tricky Max Imagination Show visits the library with his puppets and fairy tales with a twist. All programs will be at both the main branch and the New Palestine Branch libraries. Registration is required.
In addition to programming, the library will continue the take-and-make craft projects resume in person storytelling.
And Flood is looking forward to increased traffic at the library and participation in the programs available.
“You should take advantage of it and come and see what’s going on at the library,” Flood said.
