Newton library offers prizes to dedicated winter readers

Snowed-in bookworms and New Year’s resolutions readers have an incentive to get lost in a good book this winter.

Newton Public Library is offering winter reading programs for kids, teenagers and adults until Feb. 28, all of which give readers a chance to win prizes.

Phyllis Peter, youth services librarian, said the kids winter reading program allows kiddos ages 12 and under to earn the popular “brag tags” — fun trinkets that track reading progress — every time they finish five books. Peter said children can pick up a coloring sheet book log at the library to track their books.

If kids color in every book on their log, the library will provide them with a new sheet and even more chances to earn brag tags. Peter said parents enjoy having their kids in the winter reading program as it allows them to maintain their reading habits they attained before winter break.

“I’ve had a couple parents say they appreciate the motivation it gives to keep kids reading,” Peter said. “This time of year sometimes you have less activities outside, so it’s always a good time to read.”

Teenagers ages 13 to 18 can enter the teen winter reading challenge. If they read three books, their name gets entered into a drawing for a coffee gift card from Scooter’s Coffee, Uncle Nancy’s Coffee House, West Side Java or Starbucks. Participants can enter their name in the drawing multiple times.

Adults over the age of 18 can also participate in winter reading. For every five books adults read, their name gets put into a prize drawing. Librarians initial each time a book is checked out. When the bookmark is full, participants can turn them in at the circulation desk to be entered.