LEOMINSTER — The library recently kicked off its children’s winter reading program titled ‘Reading is Sweet,’ which earns participants raffle tickets as they read for the chance to win some really cool prizes.
The annual winter reading program is sponsored by the Friends of the Leominster Public Library and this year’s event runs through Feb. 28. It is open to children ages 12 and under and registration is required — stop by the Dr. Martin T. Feldman Children’s Room on the first floor of the Leominster Public Library to pick up a BINGO log sheet.
As participants log hours — by reading or being read to — they earn raffle tickets to put towards the prizes they want to win that are funded by the Friends of the Leominster Public Library. Prizes are geared towards different ages and interests, and this year’s set includes a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card, two large Squishmallows stuffed animals, a National Geographic Crystal Growing Kit, a Melissa & Doug Take-Along Farm, and more.
In addition, Leominster Public Library Head of Children’s Services Sarah Chapdelaine reported that they received “a very generous donation” of four waterpark day passes from Great Wolf Lodge New England in Fitchburg, which she said, “is one of the most popular prizes.”
“The prizes are a great incentive to help reluctant readers increase their reading, and it’s also fun for kids who already read on a regular basis to possibly win a prize through earning tickets,” Chapdelaine said. “We have BINGO sheets and each box has a fun reading challenge. It’s a great way to pass the cold winter season!”
Chapdelaine reported that the library has been doing a children’s winter reading program since 2007, before she came on in her role 13 years ago. While participant numbers vary from year to year, they typically have approximately 250 kids doing the winter reading program and over 500 who do the summer reading program.
“There are so many reasons why it’s important for children to read and be read to,” Chapdelaine said. “Reading expands a child’s knowledge of the world around them by building their vocabulary, it helps them with literacy and writing skills, helps them with their social and emotional growth, brain development, improves imagination, and is also a relaxing and enjoyable hobby. When a child says they don’t like to read I have usually found that they haven’t found the type of book that interests them yet, or they may be frustrated with reading because they have not been given a book that is at the right level for their current reading ability.”
She and the rest of the children’s services crew are happy to help with that, one of many reasons Chapdelaine likes what she does.
“What I enjoy most about my job is helping and interacting with children and their families, planning diverse, educational, and fun programming, collection development, writing grants, and establishing professional relationships with our donors who financially support our children’s programming,” she said.
Last year alone they offered 400 programs for kids and families and there are a lot of fun activities on the calendar for this year. With February school vacation coming up, Chapdelaine said “if families are looking to get out of the cold and have some free family fun, we have lots of things planned for all ages.”
Activities for the school vacation week kick off on Tuesday, Feb. 17 with two sessions of a New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill container gardens workshop, drop in crafts, and a Jason Purdy magic show at 3 p.m. that day. Other programming that week includes Dino-Mite Little Dinosaur Adoption Day, ceramic turtle box painting with the Pottery Paintin’ Place, Glow in the Dark Mini Golf with Mini Golf on the Go, 3D Printing & 3D Doodler Pen Exploration with Toys In Box, and Buildwave: a Supercharged Building Experience.
The Leominster Public Library also offers reading programs and programming for teens and adults. For more information including the full calendar of events and registration visit leominsterlibrary.org.
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