Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

February 21, 2008 issue


Read for Prizes at the Watauga County Library Through March 22

Story by Corinne Saunders

Reading a book during the upcoming weeks makes you eligible to win a prize.

The Watauga County Public Library is hosting an eight-week Adult Winter Reading Program from February 11 to March 22. Everyone ages 16 and up can participate in the adult winter reading program.

After signing up and reading a book or listening to a book on tape, just write a short book review, give it to one of the staff members at the Reference Desk and then drop the slip of paper with your name on it into the box. The purpose of the short book review is simply to explain why the book was enjoyable.

“It doesn’t have to be a book from the library; it could be one they have at home,” said Adult Services Librarian Evelyn Johnson.

“It’s a chance to win prizes if you read,” Johnson said. “We start over week by week.”

Even though names are thrown out after each week’s winner is selected, the same person could feasibly win more than once by participating in the following weeks.

“At the end [of the program], we make a list of what people have been reading and leave it out so people can look at it,” Johnson said.

“We average 30 to 35 people in this program,” she added.

The library sent letters to local businesses before the program began and many responded by donating certificates and passes.

The Adult Winter Reading Program prizes include gift certificates to eateries such as Cici’s Pizza, Wendy’s, Backyard Burger, Pepper’s and Marble Slab, slope passes to Appalachian Ski Mountain and Hawksnest and other assorted items.

For more information, call the Watauga County Public Library at 828-264-8784.