The Auburn Public Library provides incentives for children to read outside of school, through its seasonal reading programs.
Registration for the winter reading program began Tuesday and will end Dec. 31. The program ends Feb. 28.
This winter the theme is "River of Words," focusing on books about the Mississippi River.
Children ages 3 to 11 sign a "contract" with the librarians, which includes the goal number of books they plan on reading during the three month program, said Ashley Brown, assistant youth services librarian and head of the reading programs at APL.
If children meet or exceed their goals, they receive a prize.
Other prizes are rewarded from a "treasure chest" based on the number of books actually read during the program.
Five books gets the reader one prize, 10 books equals two prizes and so on.
"Many of them have to read books in school anyway, so it's a double incentive for them," said Eve Kneeland, head of youth services at the Auburn Public Library. "It's beneficial for them either way."
Children are invited to select any books on their reading level, but a suggested reading list with titles relevant to the theme is also available, Kneeland said.
"Traditionally, libraries have reading programs during the summer," Brown said. "So we thought, why not encourage kids to read all year?"
More than 300 children regularly participate in the APL summer reading program, said Cynthia Ledbetter, library assistant at APL.
This fall, 116 children signed up, Kneeland said.
So-Yoon Kim, a third-grader at Cary Woods Elementary School, said she has participated in the APL reading programs previously and intends to sign up again this winter.
Kim said she has read as many as 60 books during one of the three month programs.
This winter, Kim said she intends to set her goal at 50.
"At the end, she gives out a big prize if I pass my goal," Kim said.
Kim said the prizes have included beach balls, rubber snakes, erasers, plastic rings and plastic funnels.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
