Why are we doing the Winter Reading Challenge?  There are several reasons we are hosting a Winter Reading Challenge.  They include:

• Increase engagement​:  January and February have historically have low attendance for programs
• Capitalize on January’s higher circulation statistics​ of eMaterials such as OverDrive
• Promote a culture of reading in Oklahoma County​
• Focus on adults and their needs​
• Compete in Beanstack’s 3rd Annual Reading Challenge:  Beanstack offers a yearly Winter Reading Challenge.  If we are a high performing library, we will be eligible for grants, books for our collection, and author visits
• Test and pilot changes for adults prior to Summer Reading​
• Leverage our existing Beanstack subscription​
• Address customer needs & demands:  the library system hosted a successful Winter ReadFest for several years. Many staff and customers have asked for this program to come back.

You may now be wondering why are offering the Winter Reading Challenge training? We do it so that you, the staff, have the necessary tools and information to help customers. Ultimately, training will prepare us to reach our Winter Reading outcome and objectives as listed above.  Winter Reading training will consist of an online component for all staff members.  Online Winter Reading training is required for all staff, is self-guided, and must be completed by December 31, 2019.   

While department staff may not be assisting library customers with the Winter Reading Challenge questions directly, it is important that all staff are knowledgeable about the Winter Reading Challenge. As a Metro Library employee, you act as an ambassador to the community. If a friend or neighbor asks you about winter reading, we want you to have the information to answer that question with confidence. Your assistance helps us ensure a successful program for our community.  

Winter Reading Challenge training [1] for all staff will include: 

• The Winter Reading Challenge training video
• The Winter Reading 2019 acknowledgement

Additionally, intranet resources are available for staff to find out more in-depth information on the Winter Reading Challenge [2].  Those resources include:

• An Overview of the Program
• FAQs
• Downloads (posters, Bingo Cards)
• Engagement Toolkit
• A link to the customer site

Library Managers & Engagement Managers, please watch for the delivered marketing materials which are going in the mail today (December 2, 2019).

If you have any questions about the Winter Reading Challenge or the Winter Reading Challenge Training, please contact EPS!