Library Challenges Readers to ‘Stay Golden’ in Annual Summer Reading Quest
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN)—For the last 12 years, York and Seward libraries have posed the query: who has perused Highway 34?
Summer reading shouldn’t only be enjoyable for children,” stated Becky Baker from the Seward Memorial Library. “That’s why we also aimed to motivate the adults to pick up a book.
The two libraries held a competition to get adults reading during the summer. Kids have had summer reading challenges, but adults, not so much.
“The adults can join the children for reading sessions as well, monitoring their progress in reading. This encourages them to read more, seek out fresh literature, discover new books, and explore different authors,” explained Monica Tidylman from the Kilgore Memorial Library.
At each venue, participants receive rewards when they submit their completed stamp cards. In Seward, readers engage in a Plinko-style activity; the nature of the reward depends on where the disc ultimately lands.
In York, locals have devised their own version of the Monopoly game where individuals who turn in a punch card get stickers corresponding to various spots on the game board that showcases local streets and landmarks.
Seward has emerged victorious every year with only one exception, much to York’s frustration over consistently losing. The previous year, they fell merely 200 books shy of claiming the championship.
We truly aspire to triumph as we remain resolute each year to emerge victorious, not only the staff but also our supporters,” Tidyman stated. “Moreover, our supporters share this sentiment; they believe that this year will be different and that we will secure victory, and they are fully committed.
Further down the street, Seward already envisions how the celebration for the win will appear.
“We always have a finale party and all the readers and a guest can come in,” Baker said. “We generally do pizza or something to celebrate the victory almost always.”
While the competition is fierce, yet friendly, no matter who receives the trophy, everyone, including the librarians, win.
“At the libraries right now, libraries need support and libraries live and die by our numbers,” Tidyman said. “So having those circulations of materials, having those visits through the door with people coming in with their punch cards, people coming in with their books, that is hugely important for libraries, not only in our area but all across the state.”
The contest spans from May 19 to July 29.
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