National Read-A-Thon Day is Coming...

January 24th, and the Berwyn Public Library is participating. Click here or here for the official event homepages.

We will be offering refreshments for anyone who comes in to the library to read between noon and 4pm that day.  People will log their time reading, and anyone who reads for more than 15 minutes at the library will get a free book of their choice courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

Here is our flyer.

We have not set a goal on the number of hours that we hope to read as an organization because we do not know what to expect. But we are excited to see how long we all read when we put the numbers together.  Patrons will be coming in throughout the day, and staff have been encouraged to take their breaks while reading and enjoying our refreshments.  At the end of the day we will add up the hours and I will report them to the National Book Foundation. We will also make use of the numbers we gather during the event for some local library marketing efforts.

This has been a very easy program to plan.  All we need is a few Friends of the Library to act as hosts in the room, and 1 staff member to get the refreshments, set them up, and check in on the volunteers every now and then. We are getting the free book prizes from the back stock of books for the FOL sale.  We are raising awareness about the library and the FOL. But,what I am most excited about is that it is a way for our community to come together to read.  People are excited to bring their kids and grand-kids and come read as a family. Others have mentioned how fun it will be to meet other readers and talk about what they are reading.

We will be the force responsible for filling a room full of book lovers! It is a dream come true for this RA librarian.

There is still time for you to plan something. If your meeting rooms are already booked for January 24th, you can simply invite people into the building during the day and encourage them to read. Even refreshments at the circulation desk could work to entice people to stay.

Since it is the first year, no one really knows what to expect nor what type of program will work best.  Also it is important to note that while The National Book Foundation is encouraging people to use the event to help them raise money for their programs, you do not have to do the event as a fundraiser to participate.  You can simply use this day to raise awareness about the library and its place as the book and reading HQ in your communities.

Good luck.

RA Programming Alert: National READATHON Day

Today I received notice of the first annual National READATHON Day.  From their website:

National Readathon Day

Consider this: 53% of 9-year-olds read for pleasure daily, and by the time they turn 17, that number drops to 19%. Without your help, book worms may soon become an endangered species.  

That's why Penguin Random House and the National Book Foundation are launching National Readathon Day. We're asking book lovers across America to pledge to read for four hours starting at noon (in respective time zones) on January 24, 2015.
Make your commitment here on FirstGiving and fundraise to support the National Book Foundation's efforts to create, promote, and sustain a lifelong love of reading in America. 

You can fundraise individually, join an existing team, or start your own of friends, family, and colleagues. 

We'll be offering incentives and prizes to help keep you motivated to fundraise and #MakeTimeToRead on January 24, when we'll celebrate how important reading is to American culture.
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The mission of the National Book Foundation is to expand the audience for literature in America. Its programs include BookUp, 5 Under 25, the Innovations in Reading Prize, and the National Book AwardsIf you need more information about the National Book Foundation or National Readathon Day, email bsamuel@nationalbook.org. And for press inquiries, email syoung@nationalbook.org.

The first thing I did when I read this notice was email a cross department team of people at my library to start reserving space and to begin planning an event for this day. I am not even working at the library today, but this could not wait.

The second thing I did, is write this post.

Please, if you work at a public library, click through and learn more about the READATHON.  It perfectly matches all public library missions, and will be a wonderful PR opportunity for the library.

And, on a side note, I was just starting to get sad all over again about the cancellation of World Book Night.  This was the time last year when we were gearing up to choose the books and start planning our participation. Jose wore his WBN shirt to work last week, and I was feeling down about not having WBN to use to promote reading out in the community this year.

But now....

I am going full out on READATHON starting now.  Want to join me?