The Spoon River College Literacy Program is pleased to announce that the 33rd Annual Family Reading Night will be celebrated on Thursday, November 21. This year’s theme is “Read. Renew. Repeat.”
Held in partnership with libraries and schools throughout the SRC district, the goal is to encourage families to take time to read together as a family. With help from a grant from Dollar General, Spoon River College will provide 25 free books to each library to hand out to attendees.
“Family reading promotes healthy brain development in children, and can improve their language and listening skills. It can also help create a strong parent-child bond and instill a lifelong love of reading,” said Melissa Koke, Adult Education advisor.
“Our libraries do a wonderful job of finding fun and supportive ways to support Family Reading Night, and we hope families will take advantage of these free events. Taking time to read together is a great habit to cultivate.”
The activities, locations and times of each library’s events are listed below.
Astoria Public Library will kick off Family Reading Night on Saturday, November 16 with an Elephant and Piggie character Storytime. Families can get their picture taken with Elephant and Piggie and pick up a fall reading packet, along with a free book.
Canton Parlin-Ingersoll Library is planning a “Turkey in Trouble” Escape Room activity, Story Time, and Dean, a real live turkey, will be a guest on Thursday, November 21, 6-7:30.
Cuba/Spoon River Library held their event on November 7.
Farmington Area Public Library is celebrating Family Reading Night on Thursday, November 21, 5:30-6:30, at Farmington Central Elementary School.
Havana Public Library District will celebrate on Thursday, November 21, 6:30-8, with guest readers, free books and goodies, magician Rick Eugene Brammer, and pumpkin pancakes. Attendees are welcome to come in pajamas for this free, fun family friendly event.
Lewistown Carnegie Public Library District will be providing snacks, art kits, and books to all families that stop by the library.
Macomb Public Library will celebrate Family Reading Night as an ALL DAY READ DAY, and cookies will be served.
Rushville Public Library will celebrate with special guests Elephant and Piggie on Thursday, November 21 from 4-5 p.m. Guests will read a story, and snacks and coloring pages will be provided.
For more information about the Literacy Project at Spoon River College, visit www.src.edu or call Melissa Koke at 309-649-6310.
Sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian and the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book, Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event held the third Thursday in November to encourage families to spend quality time reading together.