Go for the Gold! at Stillwater Public Library
(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Dec. 30, 2013) – Olympic fever has hit the Stillwater Public Library and children throughout the community are invited to join in on the fun. While following the progress of Team USA during Sochi 2014, children have a chance to read their way to a big win during “Go for the Gold!,” the library’s Winter Reading Program. The program is a nine-week series, Jan. 13 to March 14, designed to encourage daily reading and visits to the library.
“Reading and the Olympics are two of my greatest passions,” said Elizabeth Murray, children’s librarian. “The Olympic spirit is about creating a better world through friendship, solidarity and fair play. Both sports and reading can open children’s eyes to ways of understanding the world and building inspiration to make a better one.”
Each “Go for the Gold!” participant will receive a sheet to record the days that they read, as well as a bonus Olympic Challenge which will help them learn more about the Games. The series will also include an array of special events including getting to meet Iditarod sled dogs Gumbie and Vulcan, new Lego events and a Skype author program for students in 3-5 grades.
“We have changed the structure of the winter reading program this year,” said Murray. “In the past, we rewarded kids for the amount of time they read, but what we really want to focus on is rewarding children for making reading an everyday habit.”
Children will earn incentives as they record their daily reading. For every five days read, the participant will receive a prize such as a coupon to a local restaurant, stickers and pencils. After recording twenty days of reading, the child’s name will be entered in a drawing for a gold medal and one of four $25 gift certificates provided by the Friends of the Library.
The winter reading program is free and open to the public. Library programs are supported by The Friends of the Library and KOSU. Winter Reading sponsors include McDonalds, Mazzio's, Texas Roadhouse, Chili’s and Sirloin Stockade.
For more information, please visit the library online at http://library.stillwater.org, call 405-372-3633 or e-mail .
The Stillwater Public Library is located at1107 S. Duck St.(the corner of Duck and12th Ave.). Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.