HANCOCK COUNTY — What sounds better on a cold, dreary day than curling up under a blanket with a good book? How about curling up with a good book and winning free gift cards?
The Hancock County Public Library’s annual winter reading program is underway, and there’s plenty of time left to get in on the action.
The program runs throughout February, which means there’s still two weeks left to start reading and entering the chance to win gift cards to local businesses.
The library’s marketing manager, Kyle Turpin, said the library’s summer and winter reading programs are always great for individuals, but the winter program puts a special emphasis on reading as a family.
“If you read to your kids at bedtime or read a book together as family, each family member can track that time individually and win points toward winning prizes,” Turpin said.
This year’s prizes consist of gift cards in denominations of $20 to $60 for Hancock County businesses such as Foxgardin, Jack’s Donuts and the V/R Evolution gaming center.
As each reader logs their reading time, they unlock badges online that are good for tickets to enter into gift card drawings. Each participant can choose which cards they want to compete for. One lucky winner will be drawn for each available card. While not every reader will win a gift card, all participants who read at least five hours will receive a tote bag.
This year’s program carries a pigeon theme, with the tagline “Reading is Cooooo.” Staff at the Greenfield branch cut out a flock of paper pigeons that fly overhead at the help desk.
While library patrons can sign up for the program at both the Greenfield and Sugar Creek Branch library locations, Turpin said it’s a cinch to sign up online.
Materials don’t have to be checked out from the library. Books, newspapers, magazines, online reading and audio books all count the same, Turpin said.
“We just want to encourage reading, no matter what that looks like,” said Turpin, who has been impressed by the winter reading program turnout so far.
“Last winter we had 813 readers, and they read 428,000 minutes,” he said. “So far this year we have 557 readers signed up, and they’ve read 132,000 minutes so far, so we should be in a great place to beat last year’s winter reading totals.”
While COVID has reduced the amount of foot traffic at both Hancock County Public Library branches over the past year, Turpin said there’s been an uptick in online checkouts of e-books and audio books, “things people can get without having to step foot in the door.”
Participants can log any reading time they’ve accumulated during the month of February, no matter how late they sign up. Turpin said the software used for online registrations will even generate reading recommendations based on each participant’s age.
The winter reading program ends Feb. 28. To register online, visit hcplibrary.org.
