From Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, Hamilton East Public Library will participate in a nationwide Winter Reading Challenge. Readers of all ages – infants through adults – are encouraged to read 3,500 or more books, participate in special activities and earn badges and prizes along the way.
Over 100 libraries and schools across the nation are participating in the challenge. If the libraries reach a collective goal of 55,000 books, Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban will donate $25,000 to the organization, First Book, which provides new books, learning materials and other essentials to children in need. Top performing libraries will also become eligible to receive a donation towards a local charity.
This year, HEPL has selected our local beneficiary as the scholarship program for graduates of the Excel Center at Ivy Tech. The Excel Center is a free public high school in Noblesville dedicated to helping adults earn their high school diploma, college credits and a variety of industry-recognized certifications. And to further the impact, Community partner Noblesville Orthodontics will donate to the Excel Center 10 cents for each book read towards the local goal of 3,500 books.
Beginning Jan. 1, readers are encouraged to simply log into hepl.beanstack.org to get started helping make a difference nationally and locally.