WORTHINGTON -- Growing bored with "American Idol" and the Winter Olympics? Didn't hit the big lottery jackpot? Check out a book at the public library and you, too, may be a winner.
"There's still plenty of time to get involved with our adult winter reading program," assured Myra Palmer, circulation and technical services librarian at the Nobles County Library.
Through March 31, citizens 16 and older who borrow a book from the library are eligible for a variety of drawings and prizes, and those who manage to log 12 books before that date may win even more.
"Any time you come in and check out a book, or a book on tape or CD, you may enter a biweekly drawing that rewards patrons with gifts such as handwarmers, tool kits, notepads, chocolate -- essential things like that," Palmer said.
People who complete a sheet noting the 12 books they have read between Jan. 1 and March 31 are entered into a Plum Creek Library System-wide drawing, featuring prizes like bookbags, cookbooks, blanket throws and more. Also, all entrants receive a mug featuring the program's "Cold hands, warm books" logo.
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"This is a nice way to reward people who read consistently, and to thank people who patronize the library frequently," Palmer said. "We like to encourage reading during the winter when you can't be out golfing or gardening, anyway."
The Nobles County Friends of the Library, headed by Ray Crippen, Worthington, purchases the prizes and mugs with funds raised from annual book sales and money received from memorials and bequests, Palmer explained.
"The Friends of the Library group meets the second Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. here at the library," Palmer said.
Other libraries throughout the Plum Creek Library System have similar winter programs, though some have different themes.
"The library that has the highest percentage of cardholders participating in the program receives $500 toward its book budget, plus there's a traveling trophy," Palmer said. "The Nobles County Library has over 9,000 registered cardholders, so the smaller libraries tend to do better; the Westbrook library has won several times."
County residents who haven't visited the library lately may be surprised to learn that, besides books, a large selection of videos and DVDs are available to borrow, as is an extensive collection of novelty cake pans. Other people now visit the library regularly to use the computers and Internet connections, Palmer said.
"Cold hands, warm books" makes the winter months more fun for the staff, too.
"We all buy our own shirts with the theme on them and wear them on Fridays to promote the program," Palmer said.
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Having sweated through the hottest month of the summer with no air conditioning due to a mechanical breakdown, cold hands are somewhat welcome to the long-suffering Nobles County Library staff.
"The air conditioning is now operational, but we've only been using the furnace lately," laughed Palmer.
