Participants should count the amount of time they spend reading, rather than the number of books.  Cash prizes will be awarded for the most time spent reading and for the largest donation earned by youth aged 18 and under.  All participants will be entered into a drawing for a prize, and prizes will be awarded on March 17.

The event is not limited to young people.  Adults are also invited to participate, and they can also help to sponsor a reader by contacting the library.  Media can incorporate audiobooks as well as printed material including fiction, non-fiction, textbooks, and other assigned reading.  And children can also be read to by a parent or another child or adult.  Learning to enjoy reading is a desired outcome.

The Read-a-thon sponsored in March 2022 by the Friends of the Library netted the library over $1,000 to add to their building fund.  Young Adler Zahn earned most of the total amount ($714.50) by reading 194 books and inviting family and friends to contribute.  The library needs the funds to provide more space in the following areas—a basement for storage; a community room with a separate entrance for eternal access; more room for shelving books and other materials; and a STEM room.  The building also needs new carpeting and paint.

The Read-a-thon will begin February 1 and continue until February 28.  Applications will be available at the library, through the schools, and on the library’s website.  Contributions are due to the library no later than March 10.  Donations to the library have a double tax benefit.