A patron looks over new edition books at the Hancock County Library earlier last winter. Both the Hancock County and Fortville public libraries are offering winter reading programs again this year.
HANCOCK COUNTY — Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, and local libraries are running winter reading programs to encourage patrons to do just that.
The Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library has incorporated a Monopoly theme to this year’s reading program, for which readers of all ages can complete challenges on the library’s Book-opoly Board.
Participants can compete on their own or as a group as they work their way around the game board.
Library patrons can pick up game boards at the library and track their reading through Beanstack at fortville.beanstack.org.
Patrons at the Hancock County Public Library are also encouraged to track their reading to earn rewards at both of the library’s branches in New Palestine and Greenfield.
Participants can enter to win prizes like gift cards to local businesses, a night at the movies or a do-it-yourself storytime kit by earning one ticket per hour spent reading. Prize drawings will take place March 2.
The Fortville winter reading program kicked off Jan. 1, while the Hancock County program kicks off Feb. 1.
Both run through Feb. 28.
“Online registration will be available sometime next week,” said Ryan Fennell, communications specialist for the Hancock County Public Library.
Circulation rates tend to dip a bit in the winter months, said Fennel, who thinks the winter reading program is a great way to remind patrons of the simple joys of curling up with a warm blanket, a hot cup of coffee and a good book.
“With the weather being the way it is, it’s a good time to stay inside and read,” he said.
The Fortville library’s director, Melissa Dragoo Loiselle, wholeheartedly agrees.
“Wintertime is a nice time to slow down and enjoy a good book because there’s not as much going on in people’s lives, so we’re excited to offer the winter reading program for the second year in a row,” she said.
She’s even more excited about the library’s newest reading program, called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, which launched Jan. 1.
The concept for the nationwide program is simple: read 1,000 books to your child before they start kindergarten.
“Research has shown that reading to children helps them acquire early literacy skills that will prepare them to learn to read when they start school,” said Dragoo Loiselle, who cherishes the memory of reading to her own kids.
“It’s probably my happiest memories of parenting young children,” said the director, who has 13-year-old twins.
As both a mom and a librarian, Dragoo Loiselle knows the positive impact of reading to young kids.
“We get a lot of parents who come in asking for workbooks on how to prepare their kids for kindergarten, but just the simple things are the best ways, and that includes reading to your child. It is one of the most efficient ways of preparing your child to read,” she said.
Children registered in the program will earn prizes along the way, including a book prize at the end. Children who read or have 500 books read to them will also receive coupons to Libby’s Ice Cream.
Dragoo Loiselle said the “1,000 Books” program is ongoing and does not have an end date.
For more information on the pre-kindergarten or winter reading programs at the Fortville library, call 317-485-6402 or visit fvtpl.org/reading-programs.
For information on the Hancock County library programs, call 317-462-5141 or visit hcplibrary.org.
