Library Announces Winter Reading Challenge

The Effingham Public Library has announced its Winter Reading Challenge, where community members of all ages are challenged to read as many books as possible over the month of January.

The program, which will run from Jan. 1 to 31, encourages residents of all ages to cozy up with a book and log the number of books they read over the course of the 31-day period through the library’s online Beanstack program.

The Effingham Public Library is one of 120 libraries across the nation participating in Beanstack’s Second Annual Winter Reading Challenge, sponsored by billionaire Mark Cuban. If the libraries reach their goal, “Shark Tank” investor Cuban will donate $35,000 to the top performing libraries to help them expand resources, and Effingham Public Library could be one of them.

“Now, more than ever, we are distracted by screens and don’t take the time to simply read,” said Cuban. “This Winter Reading Challenge gives us the opportunity to inspire people around the world to read more. What better resolution to have than to start the New Year with a good book!”

 “We are really excited about this year’s Winter Reading Challenge,” said Program Outreach Manager Catherine Bailey. “We are challenging our community to read 500 books in January, and we are encouraging readers of all ages and levels to participate in this event.”

The Effingham Public Library will use Beanstack to make it easy for participants to track reading and stay motivated, while providing insights and data about reading habits to library administrators.

The Winter Reading Challenge is divided into age divisions. Adults, teens and tweens are asked to read four books to complete the program and six books to be entered into a raffle for a basket of local goodies.  Children, birth to 9 years, are asked to read eight books to complete the program and 10 books to be entered into a raffle for a basket of local goodies. 

Through the Beanstack program, each participant will not only be able to see how many books he or she has read, but also how many books the community has read as a whole.

“With the way the program is setup online, everyone will be able to see where we are in meeting our goal,” said Bailey. “It will be a lot of fun for us to watch the number grow and to see how the community is working together to support the library’s efforts.”

Through the program, children also are challenged to participate in five activities from a list of “Winter Bucket List” activities, which include baking cookies, attending a library program, building a fort, completing a puzzle, making a paper snowflake and drinking hot chocolate.

The first 200 readers to complete the challenge will receive a book light. Other prizes will also be awarded throughout the different levels, including food coupons, treasure box prizes, stickers and virtual badges.

“Although this challenge really focuses on the number of books our community can read in January, we also wanted to make it fun by offering a variety of prizes for those participating,” said Bailey.

Registration for the Winter Reading Challenge is open and can be completed online at www.effinghamlibrary.beanstack.org or at the library. Participants may register any time throughout the reading program. All reading and activities must be logged by Jan. 31, and rewards must be collected by Feb. 4.

Anyone needing assistance registering for the program are welcome to call the library on 217-342-2464 or visit the library.  Additional information also will be available online at www.effinghamlibrary.org.