As winter drizzles its way through December, and we start to wonder where all the snow is hiding, books can be a magical distraction from the dreariness. The Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais libraries all offer winter reading programs with fun challenges and prizes.
The Two Harbors Public Library 2024 Winter Reading Program will occur from January 1 to February 29 (an extra day this year because of leap year). This year, the library is using a Bingo sheet as the challenge. Participants can sign up on Beanstack, or by stopping by the front desk starting January 2nd. The program is for all ages, and participants can start at any time during the program, whether that be January 3rd or February 28th. Anything read – books, newspapers, magazines, audiobooks, etc. – counts towards the Bingo. Both participants who read to someone or listen to someone read to them allows the reading to count for both individuals.
The online and paper versions of the Bingo sheets are identical, and the circles feature different reading-related challenges to complete – from reading for 30 minutes to trying a book you wouldn’t normally read. Once a participant earns a Bingo (four circles in a row, column, diagonal, or blackout), they can come to pick up a prize at the front desk. Up to 11 prizes can be won, and the last day to pick up prizes is February 29th. “Happy Reading!” says the Two Harbors Public Library.
The Silver Bay Public Library is holding its second all-ages winter reading program from December 11 to January 5. “We are promoting reading over the holidays,” Library Director Shannon Walz says. “Reading is a great way to find some time for yourself during these busy times and it can be a great stress relief.” The reading program is held during school break, so the library is working to support reading while school is out of session. Participants are able to check in at the library weekly and enter a drawing for one of four larger prizes – Squishmallows and Timber Coffee Company gift cards. The last week of the program, participants can select a prize from under the library’s Christmas tree.
The Grand Marais Public Library also has a winter reading program, so watch their website and Facebook page for more details when they are made available.
Welcome, winter, and even if there’s not snow – we can journey to places like Narnia, where there’s plenty of that elusive white form of water.
