The Williamson County Public Library System will hold this year’s Winter Reading Challenge from December 1 through January 3, 2023. Reading challenges are available with optional activities for three age groups: children ages birth-seventh grade, teens from seventh to 12th grade and adults 18 years of age and older.
The free Winter Reading Challenge asks each registered participant to read for 10 hours for a free book. In addition, it keeps kids actively engaged in reading and creative opportunities outside of the classroom.
“By offering educational and inventive avenues for children and teenagers, like the Winter Reading Challenge, the Williamson County Public Library is continuing our commitment to the importance of literacy and lifelong learning,” says Jessica Jeffers, Williamson County Public Library System director.
“December and January are the start to the cold weather and combined with holiday school break means that families are spending more time indoors and are looking for opportunities to help fill their inside time,” says Stephanie Wycihowski, youth services manager.
Past Winter Reading Challenges have proven to be a popular activity; participants logged a combined total of 268,703 minutes of reading last year.
As the holiday season begins, the Challenge offers an opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones by participating in the optional activities within the challenge, such as building a blanket fort, making s’mores, or even going on a winter scavenger hunt. By completing the optional activities, participants are one step closer to entering a raffle for various larger prizes, such as an e-Reader for adults and a pair of Bose earphones for teens.
While students are a focus of the Winter Reading Challenge, adults are also invited to join the fun.
“Our library has so much for everyone to enjoy in regards to reading materials plus a wonderful staff to help people of all ages find a book in any format, print, digital, or audio,” says Jeffie Nicholson, adult services manager.
Nicholson also notes the role adults play in instilling a love of reading in children.
“Participating in the library’s Winter Reading Challenge is not just a fun opportunity for adults to enjoy and earn prizes like for kids,” Nicholson says. “It’s important for all adults to model reading for youth; there is nothing more powerful than seeing a person that you look up to enjoying a book!”
The Winter Reading Challenge is available by registering with Beanstack at williamsoncounty.beanstack.org or by logging into an existing Beanstack account. Join the age-appropriate Winter Reading Challenge or visit a library branch to register and pick up a paper reading log to participate.
