Tis the season for reading! The Indianapolis Public Library announced its free holiday book gift program, Season’s Readings, during a press conference Dec. 5 at the Eagle Branch Library.
The holiday book program, formerly known as Jingle Books, officially kicked off Dec. 1 at all library branches. Mayor Joe Hogsett, alongside program sponsor Sondhi Solutions, invited residents to pick up a free children’s book for the holiday season.
“Simply put, knowledge is as important as ever,” Hogsett said at the press conference. “The Indianapolis Public Library wants to make sure that every resident in our community has access to books that inspire, teach and develop minds — especially the curious minds of our youngest readers.”
Season’s Readings, Hogsett said, is another way in which IndyPL can help put a book into the hands of young people. He said the “call to action” is a simple one for parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers: to help ensure books are included in this year’s gift giving.
Additionally, Hogsett said he wanted to encourage parents to not only read to their children but engage in conversation about the books they may be reading and why they’re interested in them.
“Books do provide us with opportunities to work together and get closer to loved ones through stories,” he said. “With Season’s Readings we can do that as a city together collectively, as a community.”
Kids and teens will be able to choose from a selection of free children’s and teen books to take home. There is also an option to donate a book and take a book for a holiday book swap.
Community members can also donate new or gently used books for children and teens at any location. Hogsett, in addition to IndyPL interim CEO Nichelle M. Hayes and Sondhi Solutions External Relations Director Jeff Roeder, donated a few books to kick off the campaign.
“While a library card and routine visits to The Library are a great way to provide children with a steady stream of new and interesting books, research shows that browning up surrounded by books at home helps children develop literacy skills,” Hayes said in a statement. “Season’s Readings is another tool that will help us achieve our goal of providing access to books and stories.”
There will also be free gift-wrapping stations, gift bags with decorative stickers and markers available at most branch locations.
Season’s Readings will run from Dec. 1 until Jan. 7 at all branch locations. A list of branches can be found at indypl.org/locations. More information about Season’s Readings can be found at indypl.org/programs-events/seasons-readings.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848 or chloegm@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
