Fiction_L Archives Winter Reading Programs Dates: 2/3/00,7:18 PM  through  2/24/00,4:00 PM  (3 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to February 2000 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: "Kathryn Kitick" <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 2/3/00, 7:18 PM

Hi-

Our library is considering having a Winter Reading Program for next year.
I was hoping to get some input from all of you out there with experience of
sponsoring this type of program. Has it been successful? How does it
compare to Summer Reading Programs? Do you have a theme? How about prizes?
Any and all information will be helpful. Thanks.

Kathryn Kitick
Reference Librarian
Carol Stream Public Library
Carol Stream, IL

FROM: "Donna Jo Atwood" <[removed]@JCL.LIB.KS.US>
REC'D: 2/4/00, 11:29 AM

We did a program called Why Should Kids Have All the Fun and ran it for six
weeks (February-March once and March-April another time. We picked four
broad categories ( for example, Nonfiction, Classics written before you were
born, Children's Classics, Mysteries) and asked that they read a book in
each category. Actually, we told them they could read in as many categories
as they liked during that time period. The folder that explained the
program had a coupon to fill out for each category, plus one for if the
participant attended the book discussion held during the month the program
was held and one just for picking up the folder.
We had a prize in each category (Baskin-Robbins coupon for Children's, a
20% off coupon at a local bookstore for classics, 20% off coupon for movie
for one, free bagels for another. We held a drawing at the end for free
books.
We've not done an adult summer reading program so I can compare it. We did
learn that prizes WERE an incentive. After the first two years, we had a
number of people say "That was so much fun I'd do it without prizes" so we
tried it. We only offered a chance for a drawing at the end and had very
few participants that year.
It is time for us to change the theme, I think.

Donna Jo Atwood
Olathe (KS) Public Library

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
> [<A HREF="mailto:owner-fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org]On">mailto:owner-fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org]On</A> Behalf Of Kathryn
> Kitick
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 7:24 PM
> To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org'
> Subject: Winter Reading Programs
>
>
> Hi-
>
> Our library is considering having a Winter Reading Program for next year.
> I was hoping to get some input from all of you out there with
> experience of
> sponsoring this type of program. Has it been successful? How does it
> compare to Summer Reading Programs? Do you have a theme? How
> about prizes?
> Any and all information will be helpful. Thanks.
>
> Kathryn Kitick
> Reference Librarian
> Carol Stream Public Library
> Carol Stream, IL
>

FROM: "Karen Bilton" <[removed]@wccls.lib.or.us>
REC'D: 2/24/00, 4:00 PM

Hi Kathryn,

Sorry about the delay in replying to your request. You sent the message
just when our Winter Reading Program was beginning and now since it is
almost over, I feel I can respond better to your questions?

This is the second Winter Reading Program here at Cedar Mill. The first
focused only on family reading/reading aloud to children. The staff was
very disappointed with the response. Only about 20 or so families signed up
and less than 10 were finishers.

This year we decided to widen the program - a lot! Basically, anyone can
sign up - children, adults and families. The YS staff really wanted to
focus on reading aloud to children again so we designed the program so
people could signup as a whole family or as an individual or both. We have
about 90 total signups; families, children and adults. Most of the staff is
very pleased with this response. I guess about 25 of the signups are
families, only 10 are individual adults and the rest are individual
children.

The staff did not put nearly as much energy into the program as with summer
reading (which will stay strictly for children) since we are still
experimenting with it. Hence it is only 1 month long and we had only one
accompanying program. A singer/storyteller that appealed mostly to
preschool age children. The finishers get a prize at the end (we started
giving those out this week), a paperback book worth around $7.00 Finding
appropriate prizes for the adults at this price range was difficult. I got
some Book Lovers Postcards and something similar for them. The children and
families are getting prizes left over from summer reading and last year's
winter reading - nice paperback story books and collections for reading
aloud.

We are also having 3 grand prize raffles. Tickets to the local science &
industry museum, tickets to the local Japanese Gardens and a Fiesta Party
bag (all the fixin's for a small, fun party: CD, chips, salsa, decorations,
etc.) Fortunately, we were able to get all these donated by writing and
begging.

We didn't have any particularly theme, other than reading is a fun and smart
indoor winter activity. We asked that participants make a commitment to
increase the amount of time they spend reading in their lives. They could
determine how much time, books, etc would be an increase for their life.

Well, that's all I can think of. If you have any more questions, feel free
to email me anytime. Good luck!

Karen T. Bilton
Cedar Mill Community Library
Portland, OR

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kathryn Kitick [[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us]
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 5:24 PM
> [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org'
> Subject: Winter Reading Programs
>
> Hi-
>
> Our library is considering having a Winter Reading Program for next year.
> I was hoping to get some input from all of you out there with experience
> of
> sponsoring this type of program. Has it been successful? How does it
> compare to Summer Reading Programs? Do you have a theme? How about
> prizes?
> Any and all information will be helpful. Thanks.
>
> Kathryn Kitick
> Reference Librarian
> Carol Stream Public Library
> Carol Stream, IL

Return to February 2000 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

The Webrary® and Fiction_L are services of the Morton Grove Public Library "Webrary" is a registered trademark of the Morton Grove Public Library. All rights reserved. Copyright of Fiction_L postings belongs to their respective authors; postings may only be reused with the author's permission. Compiled lists (compilations of titles or authors from earlier postings on a particular topic) may not be reused for commercial purposes. To use a compiled list for non-commercial purposes, please credit "Subscribers of the Fiction_L mailing list." All other content is ©2012 Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove, IL 60053-2989, (847) 965-4220.