(STILLWATER, OKLA. / Nov. 25, 2015) –– The Stillwater Public Library has activities scheduled throughout the winter to help keep community members occupied during the long evenings and cold nights ahead.

Beginning Dec. 7, sign up for one of the library’s winter reading programs for kids, teens and adults. Each program provides incentives for reading and turning in reading logs. This year, online logs will be provided through the library’s new tracking system, Wandoo. Readers can show how much they have read, complete challenges and find out which prizes they have won.

The children’s program, “Knights’ Tales and Dragons’ Reads,” encourages daily reading. Participants will earn a free book for recording 20 days of reading. 

In addition, the library will hold its fourth annual showing of “Polar Express” on Dec 17at 6:30pm.  Families can watch the show in pajamas and enjoy popcorn and an evening of fun.

The teen program for students in 6-12 grades, “A Cold Winter’s Knight,” includes prizes for the top three readers each month. In addition, every participant will get to log their time reading for a chance to win the grand prize, a BB-8 Droid, straight from the new film, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Participants will earn one chance in the drawing for every 30 minutes they read.

With final exams and papers soon approaching for middle, junior and high school students, winter can be a stressful time. To help young scholars combat the stress and anxiety that go along with finals, the Stillwater Public Library will be hosting a new program, “Study Buddies,” on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 5:30-8 p.m. Students can come to the library to study in a quiet, calming environment along with the help of therapy dogs provided by “Love on a Leash” and OSU speech pathology student Abby O’Dell.

The therapy dogs will be available all night to students, so they can interact with them and de-stress while they study. Refreshments will be provided in a separate room, where students can take a short break and recharge. Ten computers are available for use in the study room, so due to the limited number available, students are encouraged to bring their own laptops or materials.

“Study Buddies” is come-and-go, so students do not have to stay the entire time, but are welcome to use the space to study as long as they need. The event will serve as a trial run for a more extensive study session in the spring, which will include subject specific tutors.

The library is challenging adults to read their way around the world this winter. In the program, “Around the World in 80 Days,” participants will read at least one book either set in or written by an author from each of the seven different continents of the world.  Lists of authors and books for each continent are available at the library help desk or online.  The challenge must be completed within the 80 days between December 7 and Feb. 25.

Participants will pick up or download a “passport” to begin reading around the world. For each continent completed, the reader will receive a special candy from different countries. Everyone who completes the entire challenge will be entered into a drawing for a basket of literary-themed prizes.

On Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2-4 p.m., the library will host “Broke A$$ Holidays” for adults. The program will focus on making holiday gifts and decorations on the cheap.

Supplies and specific craft ideas for making homemade presents and decorations will be provided, along with hot cocoa, cookies and holiday music on vinyl records. Registration is strongly encouraged.

All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Help Desk at (405) 372-3633 x8106 or visit http://library.stillwater.org. Registration for the reading challenges will be on the website beginning Dec. 7.

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.  The Stillwater Public Library is located at 1107 S. Duck St. (the corner of Duck and 12th Ave.)

Contact: Sherry Fletcher, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Phone: 405.742.8362

E-mail:

Web: stillwater.org

Contact: Stacy DeLano, Stillwater Public Library

Phone: 405-372-3633 x8124

E-Mail:

Web: library.stillwater.org