By 1808Delaware
A winter built around reading doesn’t need to look dramatic. It might be a half hour after dinner, the last quiet stretch before sleep, or the moment you finally settle in with a cup of something hot. Westerville Public Library is leaning into that spirit with its Winter Reading Challenge, a three-month stretch that runs through February 28 and invites people of all ages to set a personal reading goal, track progress, and earn a prize once they get there.
How It Works
You sign up any time between December 1 and February 28, register yourself or your whole family, and set a goal that fits your pace. There’s no complicated structure, no strict page counts, and no required reading list. If you enjoy picture books, magazines, ebooks, audiobooks, or reading aloud, it all qualifies. Once you hit your target, you head to the library to pick up your prize.
Finishing earns you the chance to choose a free book and pick up a packet of coupons from local businesses. Some are simple treats, like a free cone from Dairy Queen or a free cookie at Family Room Coffee & Bake Shop with a drink purchase. Others give families an easy night out, such as a kids combo at Raising Cane’s or a kids meal at Texas Roadhouse with the purchase of an adult entrée. There are art-minded options too, including 20 percent off pottery at U Paint Pottery or a free kids shake or refresher at Uptown Nutrition. These youth-focused offers apply to ages 0–18, though adults participating in the challenge still get to select a book and earn a drawing entry.
The Grand Prize Drawings
Everyone who completes their goal also receives an entry toward one of several grand prizes. The list ranges from practical to playful. There’s a $100 VISA gift card, a COSI family membership paired with Skate Zone 71 tickets for a family of four, and a basket built around winter comfort with gift cards to Fox in the Snow, Java Central, and the Friends of the Library gift shop. For creative minds, there’s a DIY Crafting Basket stocked with a button maker, sticker printer, beads, and other tools. Children may be hoping for the five-foot-tall stuffed panda, while active readers might eye the Pickleball Package with a set and gift card to Smash Park. Families with sensory-friendly needs will notice the We Rock the Spectrum gift card, and young listeners can aim for the Yoto Player Kit featuring the Yoto Mini and a set of cards including Narwhal and Jelly, Boxcar Children, and Captain Underpants.
Why the Library Is Doing This
The library isn’t hiding the reason. Winter can dull routines, and reading has a way of making those long spans feel useful again. Picking up a book for a short stretch each day reduces stress, helps sharpen your attention, and reacquaints you with a habit that too easily slips past when you’re busy. The program is meant to be uncomplicated, welcoming anyone who wants a reason to reclaim the practice.
What You Need To Know
Registration and logging run through February 28. Anyone can join, regardless of age. There’s no required genre, format, or pace beyond the personal goal you set. If you’re stuck choosing what to read, the library offers personalized recommendations for adults and subscription bundles for children and teens.
The challenge itself is intentionally modest. It’s simply an invitation to carve out a few minutes each day, let your mind settle, and feel the satisfaction of finishing something during a season when it helps to have one steady anchor.
