Spoon River College is gearing up for its 33rd Annual Family Reading Night on Thursday, November 21st, under the theme “Read. Renew. Repeat.” This beloved event unites libraries and schools across the SRC district in a collaborative effort to promote family reading time. With a significant boost from a Dollar General grant, participating libraries will distribute 25 free books to each family attending. Melissa Koke, an Adult Education advisor at the college, emphasizes the multiple benefits of family reading, from fostering brain development and language skills in children to strengthening parental bonds. The community is encouraged to partake in these enriching, no-cost activities and build lasting reading habits together.
Astoria Public Library will kick off Family Reading Night on Saturday, November 16th, 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 21th, 6-7:30. Cuba/Spoon River Library held their event on November 7th.
Farmington Area Public Library is celebrating Family Reading Night on Thursday, November 21th, 5:30-6:30, at Farmington Central Elementary School. Havana Public Library District will celebrate on Thursday, November 21st, 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 21th, 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.