Library Spotlight:
Pollard Pageturners Family Reading Program
By Molly Hancock, Coordinator of Youth Services
Pollard Memorial Library, Lowell

This past winter the Youth Services Department initiated a brand new family reading program called the “Pollard Pageturners Reading Club.” The program ran January 29th through March 9th. Families could sign up anytime during those weeks. Participating families received a family reading log and tie-dyed “Read” bracelets. Families were encouraged to read individually and together. Each week families that read a combined minimum time of two hours brought their logs to the library to be checked and were entered into a weekly raffle. The prizes were thematic gift baskets. The Friends of the Pollard Library generously donated the funds for the prizes. Themes included: arts and crafts, puzzles, baking, and games. Families that got their logs checked at least three times during the course of the program were automatically entered into a grand prize drawing which was held on March 12, 2007. The grand prize was a Family Night Out and consisted of a Lowell Spinners Power Pack (ticket vouchers), $20 Spinners dollars, and a $50 restaurant gift card.

Thirty-seven families registered for the program. Nineteen families got their logs checked at least one time and fourteen families qualified for the final Grand Prize Raffle. The family that won the Grand Prize was thrilled not only to win the Family Night Out but had a great time reading together. The mom claimed the very best part of the program was that it was her teenage daughter who so enthusiastic about it. Many of the participating families hoped the Pollard Pageturners would become an annual program.