Reading Resolutions .... Reading Challenges

A New Year is like a clean slate.  Many follow the tradition of setting resolutions.  Plans are made to diet, exercise, and save money.  While you are busy focusing on your 2013 improvement plan, don’t forget about reading.  Joseph Addison, a 17^th century essayist, is known for the popular quote: “Reading is to the mind, as exercise is to the body.”   In other words, just as exercise stimulates your body to make you stronger … reading stimulates your mind and makes you smarter.  Reading is great exercise for your brain, as you imagine scenarios and follow dialogue.  Another way to compliment your resolution about saving money is to visit the library, rather than the book or video store.  Remember, the library loans books and movies for free!

One way to have fun looking for the next good book to read is with the Ashe Library Winter Reading Challenge!  All ages can participate in this fun reading event, which lasts through the end of February.  There isn’t a required book to read, but instead requirements for completing a reading task.  For example, in 2013, Feb 10 is Chinese New Year and the color red is very common during this celebration. Read a book with a predominately red cover.   There are sixty tasks to choose from and some are more challenging than others. You don’t have to complete every task, or follow any particular order.  Once you join the challenge you begin earning tickets for each task you finish.  There are six levels of challenges each increasing in difficulty … not necessarily advanced reading material, but a more involved way to find a book that fits.  Sort of like a book scavenger hunt.  Higher level challenges may also require reading two books to complete a task, but they also earn you more tickets.  At the end of the Winter Reading Challenge, there will be a wrap-up party where readers will meet-up to share thoughts about some of the books they discovered during the challenge.  At the wrap-up party tickets will be randomly drawn to win some very cool prizes!  You don’t have to be present to win, but readers who attend will snag some extra tickets for their page count.  The more you read, the more chances you have of winning and the more good books as well as new authors you will discover!  Next time you’re in the library, ask about our Winter Reading Challenge, or better yet, visit the Winter Reading Challenge online.

Dates to remember in January:

The Inditers, a young writers group meets on January 2 at 4:00 p.m. and Otaku’s United, an Anime/Manga Club for teens, meets on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.

The Library’s Saturday Music Concert Series features the Summit Strings Duo on January 12 at 2:00 in front of the quilt display.

Join us for “Get Crafty” classes! All ages and experience levels are welcome.  Not all snowmen are made of snow … this month’s crochet class will make a decorative snowman on Saturday, January 12 at 10:00 a.m. (supplies will be provided). April’s origami class will meet on Thursday, January 24 at 4:00 p.m.  Call 846-2041 for more information.  

Adult programming offers “Pace Yourself” Computer Classes on Tuesday mornings at 11:00.  

E-Reader workshops will be available on Saturday, January 5 and Wednesday, January 9 at 11:00 a.m.  Bring your e-reader device for hands-on help. Visit our virtual collection and download some good books!

Parents bring your children to our Family Fling programs, beginning on January 12 and every Saturday through the winter months, at 10:30 a.m.  Enjoy stories and be creative with fun art projects! 

Children’s programs are scheduled as follows: Story time (4-5 year olds) on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Tot time (2-3 year olds) Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., and Afternoon Adventures (6-9 year olds) at 2:00 p.m. on the 2^nd Wednesday of each month.  Check the library’s website or call for details.