Exercise your brain with Hot Reads for Cold Nights!

Hot Reads for Cold Nights

Our Hot Reads for Cold Nights program has always held a special place in my heart.  After 15 years, I still don't know if it's seeing adults reading like crazy so they can win prizes, or that we actually get to hand out prizes to adults instead of children.  In any case, to mark our 100th year of service, we've decided to change our ways.  I know the old adage that says "if something ain't broke, don't fix it" but this isn't a fix, it's an addition to the same great program.  We've made it bigger and, of course, much better.  All thanks to our fantastic Friends of Virginia Public Library.

Of course, the more you read, the more you can win, just like always.  But this year we've bumped up the prizes and decided to focus on our local business community.  Our Friends are going to "buy local" and provide you with the opportunity to win gift certificates for gifts and services right here in our community.  We will release more details as the program continues, but for now, I'm going to tease you by saying that they are going to spend HUNDREDS of dollars in our community to encourage you to read.  Isn't that great?!?

BTW, our biggest question at this time of year?  Why are we working so hard to encourage adults to read?  Well,  the short version of all those studies points to the simple fact that our brains work differently when we are reading.  And unlike watching television -- in which the Oct. 2012 issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine sadly reported that "every single hour of television watched after the age of 25 reduces the viewer's life expectancy by 21.8 minutes" -- reading can actually help you live longer.  To put it bluntly, your brain needs exercise no matter what your age.

So, if you are over 18, join us in our efforts to promote reading.  Sign up in the library or online for our Hot Reads for Cold Nights reading program and warm up with a great book from your local library.  Think of it as a fitness program for your brain.  You'll be glad you did.  After all, just think how much longer you'll live! 

 Dawn -- Public Services Librarian