Georgina Public Library's Pefferlaw branch launches reading challenge for adults

In Pefferlaw, summer reading is good for your health and your wallet

Yorkregion.com
July 27, 2018

You may know about the popular summer reading club for kids at the Georgina Public Library, but this year the Pefferlaw branch is offering a summer reading challenge --complete with prize incentives --for adults as well.

Introduced on July 3, the contest is open to any Georgina library cardholder age 16 or older. Participants can pick up a reading checklist at the Pefferlaw branch (or download a copy from the library website). For each activity completed, participants visit the Pefferlaw branch to fill out a ballot for the weekly prize draw of a $15 gift certificate to the Belvedere Cookhouse and Saloon. At the end of the summer, a grand prize draw will be made from all ballots for a $100 Petro-Canada gift card.

This particular program was put together by Pefferlaw branch librarian Becky Stark, but she says the concept is not new.

“Brampton, Hamilton, Caledon, Barrie, and many other Ontario libraries have similar programs,” said Stark. “And it makes sense. We know that positive incentives like prizes and a little friendly competition can really get kids excited about reading, so why wouldn’t it be true for adults as well?”

Prizes and bragging rights are not the only thing you stand to gain from setting up with a good book this summer. Studies show that reading not only increases neural plasticity, it improves empathy, lowers heart rate and stress levels, and is a vital part of building positive reading habits.

While this year’s pilot version of the program requires participants to visit the Pefferlaw branch to submit their ballots for the draws, if all goes well, it may be expanded to include all three branches as ballot-drop sites next year.

For more information, call the Pefferlaw branch 705-437-1514 or visit the library's website at georginalibrary.ca.