In 1994, March was declared National Reading Month to honor Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2, 1904. Can you think of a better place to celebrate National Reading Month than at the library? We can’t!
Whether you’re already an avid reader, trying to return books or helping a little one learn to read, CPL has something for you. Let’s look at 10 ways to participate in National Reading Month.
1. Design a Book Cover
Use your creativity to create a book cover. There are so many ways to do this. You can recreate your favorite cover, design it in a way that you think better reflects the book, draw it, use household objects, have your pet model, or create a cover for a book that doesn’t exist.
2. Fill Out a May We Suggest Form
Avid readers and people trying to read more can all benefit from our May We Suggest service. When you’re stuck and desperate for a new book to read, our librarians are ready to help.
Fill out a May We Suggest form explaining what you enjoy reading and what formats you prefer. A librarian will tailor a booklist just for you, and it will be in your inbox within days. Don’t be shy or think that your reading tastes are too obscure—our librarians are up to the challenge.
3. Join a Library Book Group
If you just can’t stop talking about books, you should join one of our book clubs. We offer a variety of book groups that might introduce you to a book you wouldn’t normally pick up.
- Adult book groups don’t require registration. Our adult clubs include Eclectic Book Group, Contemporary Book Group and Senior Book Group, and all you have to do is ask at the front Check Out Desk for a copy of the book before the group's designated meeting date.
- Children’s book groups do require registration because the library provides a free copy of the book to participants. For tweens and teens 12-16 years old, we offer Make Shhh Happen Book Club. Slightly younger kids from 9-11 years old can register for This is NOT a Book Club. Both groups have the option of meeting over Zoom and provide great conversations and crafts.
4. Create a Bracket of Your Favorite Books
Think about basketball March Madness—but for books! Reach out to family or friends who like reading and come up with a bracket of eight titles. If you want to challenge yourself, read or listen to the books and then vote on your favorites. See which book you and your friends think is the best.
5. Explore Our Low Vision Resources
If you have low vision, we have a few resources to help you. The library has a selection of large print books for both adults and children. You can also check out a Low Vision Aid (Optelec low vision magnifier) and take it home for three weeks. Finally, we have audiobooks available for download, streaming and on CD. Don’t let anyone tell you that audiobooks don’t count as reading.
6. Take Home a Storytime Kit
Did you know you can create your own storytime by checking out a kit from the library? Each kit contains a book and puppets for you to act out the story at home with your little ones. You can find the kits near the large tree in the Children's Library.
7. Read a Book Adapted Into a Movie or TV Show
It feels like most of the movies and TV shows that are coming out now are based on books. This month, challenge yourself to read the book before it hits the big screen (or, you know, your tablet screen!). Here are just some of the books that qualify.
8. Check Out a Wonderbook
Reading to a child is beneficial in many ways. Being read to helps a child build their vocabulary, learn how our language works, build knowledge of the world around them and create a love of reading and writing.
If you don’t have time to read with your child or the language skills to read to them, we have a resource to help you. Check out one of our Wonderbooks. These books contain a built-in audiobook player that will read aloud to your child—no CD player required.
9. Learning to Read in English? Check Out a Hi/Lo Book.
The Hi/Lo books in our collection are highly engaging with age-appropriate content at a lower reading level. Adults can find these books in the 428.64 section of nonfiction. If you’d like to place one on hold, take a look at these options. Teens can find these books in the catalog here. We offer a wide variety of Hi/Lo books for children, too. You can search for “Orca Currents” or “Orca Echoes” in our catalog.
10. Read a Book Set in a Place You Want to Visit
You never know what weather you’re going to get when it's March in Michigan. Cheat the system with a book that is set in your favorite place, or location you’ve always wanted to visit. Nonfiction books are great for learning about your dream destination.
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