Warren County Public Library works year-long to make reading enjoyable and library experiences memorable for all ages. While activities are ramped up during summer months, the winter season has proven to be quite a thrill as well, in recent years. This year’s Winter Reading Program will be no exception. Activities were kick-started in November continue now through the end of January.
The program, sponsored by the Friends of the Library Warren County since 2009, offers a cool collection of free activities, as well as a reading/activity incentive prize program with many possibilities for completion. Youth Services Manager Laura Beth Fox-Ezell notes, “Winter Reading is a great opportunity to engage with your local library. When the temperature drops there is no better time to cozy up with a good book! But reading (and listening to) books isn’t the only way you can participate!” Additional activities that qualify for inclusion on the reading log include attending library events, exploring library resources and even skating at SoKY Ice Rink!
For the third year, “Storytimes in the Snow Dome” will take place at the SoKY Ice Rink, thanks to a partnership with Warren County Parks & Recreation. These storytimes feature read-alouds and character meet and greets. Sessions began in the middle of November and will continue through early January. While kids and adults can pay to skate before or after, the storytime events are free. There are two Friday meeting sessions, with one starting at 4pm and the second at 4:30pm scheduled on these days:
● Friday, December 2: Meet Peppa the Pig
● Friday, December 9: Meet Baby Shark
● Friday, December 16: Meet Pete the Cat
● Friday, December 23: Meet the Grinch
● Friday, January 6: Meet Barnaby the Bear
Santa Claus will again make his magical rounds at library locations, visiting with boys and girls to find out their Christmas wishes. Register online to help us get a head count for one of these dates:
● Thursday, December 1, 4:30pm-7:30pm @ Bob Kirby Branch Library
● Tuesday, December 6, 4:30pm-7:30pm @ Main Library
● Thursday, December 8, 3pm-5pm @ Smiths Grove Branch Library
● Saturday, December 10, 10am-12pm @ The Capitol
● Wednesday, December 14, 4pm-6pm @ Buchanon Park
Storytime with The Grinch is scheduled for 3pm right before the Downtown Lights Up evening begins at Fountain Square on Friday, December 2, at The Capitol. Frozen Storytime with Princess Elsa & Anna is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, at 6pm at the Bob Kirby Branch. All of these events are free, but registration is requested for both and can be accessed by clicking on the event images athttps://warrenpl.org/winter.
If you want to catch a festive holiday movie in a historic theater, come to The Capitol for a free movie on
these dates:
● December 8 at 10:30am (Jimmy Stewart meets Clarence, an angel of a life saver!)
● December 20 at 12:30pm (Jim Carrey helps interpret a classic Whoville classic.)
● December 22 at 10:30am (A holiday classic featuring the song “I’m Dreaming of a ….”)
● December 27 at 12:30pm (The original story of Woody’s best friend Buzz!)
Additional winter-themed programs will take place at all library locations through the end of January. Go to https://warrenpl.org/events to view the online calendar. Some programs require pre-registration, while others don’t; those details will be included in the calendar entry. Adult craft programs cost a nominal fee.
Since Winter Reading is fun to do and easy to complete, make plans now to participate! It’s open to adults and kids of all ages. Just use the log printed on this page or grab one at the next library location you visit, so that you can record 10 library-related activities (prizes unto themselves) and turn in the completed log for a free book and a cute, warm knit beanie. Logs can also be downloaded from the website(https://warrenpl.org/winter). In addition to receiving the prizes mentioned, all those who turn in a log will be entered into a grand prize drawing. If you can’t make it to the library and want to be entered in the drawing, you can also register what you’ve done online.
Warren County Public Library aims to make reading fun, information accessible and reliable resources available to all. Drop by one of our locations or go online and browse our website to find out more! Hope we see you at the library soon!
-by Ashley Fowlkes
Branch Manager, Warren County Public Library
