Santa and Mrs. Claus had a chance to visit children at the Warsaw Community Public Library. Pictured in front, from left, are Susie Bolland, Stephanie Hershberger, and Erin Streeter. Pictured in back, from left, are Duane Herendeen, Santa, Mrs. Claus and Amy Mann.

By Amy Mann
Children’s Services

Winter in northern Indiana can be a challenge. Preparation for the day often takes longer than in the more temperate months, but daylight hours have dwindled, making days appear shorter. Life can seem to take more energy than we had been able to store up during the summer and fall.

Winter seems to bring some peace, though that’s not evident in the more frenetic warmer times of the year. People don’t seem to feel as guilty about curling up with a book instead of heading out to do some important activity elsewhere. Parents and caregivers often bring children to the library to stock up on books in print or audio form for snow days or vacation days, or for times when going out in the cold just takes too much effort.

Reading itself can be a reward. The act of letting yourself get wrapped up in a story or a set of ideas sometimes brings rejuvenation that can’t be copied by watching something on a screen or trying to process thoughts in a room full of people.

Sometimes though, a more tangible reward would be nice. If that idea motivates you or the children in your life, come to the Warsaw Community Public Library between Jan. 3 and Feb. 28, 2019, to participate in our yearly Winter Reading Program. Children from birth to second grade and young people from third through sixth grade will find that reading during that period will bring the extra incentive of earning food coupons and drawing tickets for special prizes. We will be using a Bingo-type card again this year to assist our juvenile patrons in keeping track of the books they’re reading. Challenges will help them to enlarge their focus, and reading can bring more enjoyment to the winter season.

For more information, check the library’s website at warsawlibrary.org, or call the library, located at 310 E. Main St., at (574) 267-6011.