CLEVELAND — Reading can be an escape, which many of us need right now amid the pandemic and social unrest. If you need a push to read more — a winter reading challenge has come to the Cleveland Public Library said Youth Programming Coordinator Erica Marks.

What You Need To Know

  • The Cleveland Public Library's winter reading challenge is happening now through the end of January

  • Participants are asked to read at least 10 books

  • The challenge is part of a friendly competition with libraries nationwide

  • Winning libraries have the chance to win free books and/or author visits

“People aren't as active as they usually are due to the pandemic. So, we want people to continue to read and, you know, just continue to have that love for reading and to keep in mind that there are public libraries there for them,” said Marks.

For the entire month of January, the library wants you to read as many books as you can.

“The winter reading challenge started January 1 on New Year's Day. They can go to cpl.beanstack.org and register for the program. And it's simple. We just ask that patrons read at least 10 books. You lock your books on that side, on our beans stack site and you mark them complete and we're good to go,” said Marks.

And the competition extends beyond just Ohio.

“By patrons participating in this challenge it allows Cleveland public library to compete with other friendly competition with other libraries and schools, to see who read the most during the month of January. And it gives us a chance to possibly win free author visits and books in which we would donate to our local schools and the community,” said Marks.

And to make reading even easier, the CLE Public Library has a new service called “Words on Wheels." Director of Public Services John Skrtic explained.

“They call the library, we'll put a hold on for the item they want and we'll send it directly through there to their house via postal mail,” said Skrtic.

“Words on Wheels” is free to all who live in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Area.

“We just ask that you return the books to one of our neighboring libraries once you're done with them,” said Skrtic.

The Cleveland public library is one of the biggest collections in the world with over 11 million items to read. This system offers a way for people to read as much as possible through the month of January and beyond, while staying safe.

“We're part of a huge consortium of 40 libraries where the main library is the hub. So any book you want from any of these libraries, you can put it on hold and then you'll send it down to the main library to be sent. So, there's no restrictions, anything you need. We have books, DVDs, audio books, any of those items that you're really interested in, we'll get out to you right away,” said Skrtic.

The “Words on Wheels” service is only for those with a Cleveland zip code. You do not have to be a Cleveland resident to participate in the Cleveland winter reading challenge. If you're interested in the reading challenge, you can go to cpl.beanstack.org.