The San Diego Public Library launched its Winter Reading Challenge this week, inviting community members to participate in library activities and log their time spent reading during the month of January.
The theme of this winter’s challenge is “Be a Reading Machine,” with a focus on the world of technology and innovation. It runs through Jan. 31.
The challenge, open to all ages, is designed to promote reading and encourage people to take advantage of the library’s programs.
Participants have the option of picking a book from the library’s recommendation list — with selections dealing with themes surrounding science and technology — and can join library programs that dive into engineering, robotics, inventions and artificial intelligence.
Prizes will be awarded to participants who complete any combination of reading five books, reading for five hours or attending library activities related to the theme. This includes the library’s interactive science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) program, its IDEA Labs where visitors can bring their inventions to life and its free access to online resources to learn more about coding.
Children 11 and younger who complete the challenge will win a bendable robot and one pass to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, while those 12 and older will get a special edition robot pin featuring Odi, the library’s mascot.
Prizes will be available for pickup from Friday through Feb. 7. There will also be a kickoff celebration for the challenge Tuesday at the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library.
Register for the challenge on the library’s website, at sandiego.gov/WinterReading, or at any branch location.
