Winter Reading Wrap Up!

Another season of page-turning excitement has wrapped up at the North Manchester Public Library, and this year’s Winter Reading program shattered records!

“We had 338 community members (our highest number ever for Winter Reading) sign up for the program,” says Sarah Morbitzer, Children’s Department Manager. “They clocked an astounding 900,582 minutes—equivalent to over 15,000 hours—of reading in just two months!”

In addition, many readers took part in special activities that encouraged them to explore the library’s extensive resources, including DIY books, the Libby & Hoopla e-libraries, games, puzzles, kits, new arrivals, and free language learning with Mango Languages.

For each hour of reading, participants earned entries into a drawing for over 50 incredible prizes donated by generous local businesses. “We love knowing that Winter Reading enriched lives by promoting local businesses and organizations,” said Molly Magnus, Programming Coordinator. “We believe that one way to build a strong community is to encourage people to shop locally. For our patrons, being able to win a gift certificate to a local restaurant, salon, shop, or business was a huge motivating factor. We’re so thankful for our local businesses for partnering with us to promote literacy in the community.”

One patron shared their heartfelt experience: “I have enjoyed reading and learning so many things from the books I borrowed from the library! Reading about the Great Depression—my in-laws lived through that. And the Flu Epidemic of 1918—my grandfather’s parents were killed in that. And just reading about all the kids and what happened to them. He was one who ended up in an orphanage, and his sisters ended up somewhere else. I never enjoyed history in school, but if I could have read about it the way I do with these library books, I would have loved it. Thank you so much for having Winter Reading!”

Between the library's Summer Reading and Winter Reading programs, nearly every business and organization in town backs a library reading initiative. NMPL would like to extend a warm thank you to all the businesses and individual donors who helped make this year’s Winter Reading Program such a success.

Anytime Fitness
Auto Value
Blue Bird Cafe
Boocher's Auto Detailing
Chris & Company Barbershop
Country Family Restaurant
CVS Pharmacy
The Daily Donut
El Mezquite
El Volcan
Frantz Lumber Company
Friends of the Library
Handsome Devil Barber Shop
Hawaiian Tan
Manchester Mix
Himalayan Salts & Scents
Honeywell Center
Jeanna Hann
J Morbitzer Photography
Keela Coffee
L.A. Hair
Lambert Auto Repair Service
Manchester Symphony Orchestra
Modern Impressions
Mostly Books
Mr. Dave's Restaurant 
Nature's Remedy
Nordmann's Nook
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Premier Body & Paint Specialists
Quality Quick Lube
Rio Nail Spa
Sandwich Cellar/Time Out Inn
Selleck Boot Repair & Western Wear
Strauss-Peabody Aquatic & Fitness Center
The Hair Lounge on Main
The Service Station
The Thrift Store
Travel Bee Coffee House
Victory Bookstore
WhatNot Thrift Shoppe

The North Manchester Public Library thanks everyone who participated and supported this event. Stay tuned for future programs that celebrate literacy, learning, and community!