The Rutherford County Library System is offering THREE Winter Reading Programs this year, so we are challenging you to resolve to read! Additionally, we are offering two special reading challenges through July 4th to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Continue reading to learn more about how to sign up for each program (yes, you can choose more than one) and our Kick-off events at Linebaugh and Smyrna.
This year marks the seventh annual Harry Nelson Memorial Adult Winter Reading Program at Linebaugh Public Library. Linebaugh challenges you to read and review 6 books in 6 weeks, from February 1st – March 14th. There will be drawings and prizes! Read what you like. All you need to participate is a library card. Reviews can be as long or as short as you please.
Registration begins at Linebaugh Public Library the week of January 25th and continues for the whole of the program. Ask about it at the circulation desk or email harrynelsonwrp@rclstn.org. In addition, visit Linebaugh Library on January 31st for live music by the Jake Leg Stompers from 1 pm – 3 pm. We’re talking pre-war roots music: the good stuff! Come out, listen to the band and sign up for the Harry Nelson Memorial Adult Winter Reading Program.
At Smyrna Public Library, they will be holding the Walter King Hoover Winter Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Reading is SNOW Much Fun”. This program is designed to encourage life-long reading habits. Registration for the Reading Program goes live on 1/25/2026, and you can begin submitting your reviews from February 1 to March 14.
All participants who submit 6 reviews will receive a Winter Reading Completion Prize, as well as 1 Grand Prize entry. For 1 additional entry into the Grand Prize drawing, read an additional 5 titles. The Grand Prize Reader will receive a gift card awarded by the Friends of Smyrna Library in addition to the entries into the grand prize drawing. There are also prizes for the Silver & Bronze Readers. Read six books in six consecutive weeks, and log your reading progress. Each book is worth 100 points; when you earn 600 points, you’ll receive a completion certificate you can print and share! Participants can register through ReadSquared by selecting the Program Title or emailing smyrnareadingprogram@rclstn.org. You can also pick up a review worksheet at the library and turn in your 6 hand-written reviews by 3/14/2026.
Join us for a Winter Reading Program celebration with a huge outdoor Snow Party on February 6th at 10am! Come play in the snow, get some treats, and meet community resource partners like the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center and Starbucks. This is an all-ages event; children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
MGL Library has Winter Reading Bingo! From February 2nd through March 14th, you can complete 6 unique, fun reading challenges by reading 6 different books. Challenges like… “Read a book with a blue cover”, “Read a book with a friend”, “Read a book set in space”, and so many more! Over the course of 6 weeks, complete your reading challenges by March 14th and turn in your Bingo board at MGL to claim your prize! This reading challenge is meant to encourage literacy and life-long reading habits. By reading 30 minutes a day, every day, you are setting yourself up for success!
- You can pick up a Bingo board at MGL starting Monday, January 26th!
- Participants who complete any 6 reading challenges from their board will receive a Winter Reading Completion Prize and one Grand Prize entry.
- Bring your completed Bingo Board back to MGL Library claim your prize!
- For additional Grand Prize drawing entries, complete additional reading challenges from your Bingo board! One prize entry per challenge.
Bingo Boards must be picked up and returned at MGL Library inside Patterson Park Community Center.
To celebrate the 250th birthday of America, we’ve put together a Road to Reading Challenge. This is a system-wide reading challenge running from January 4th until July 4th that includes reading and/or listening. There will be a prize drawing at the end, and participants who complete the Road to Reading challenge will receive a commemorative coin.
Maps to help you track progress are available at your local library branch.
Road to Reading Instructions:
Participants will read for 250 minutes per week, 30 minutes a day, which includes reading or listening. Each dot on the map represents 200 minutes read. By July 4th, participants should have read for at least 6000 minutes. Once completed, they’ll turn in their paper after July 4th to receive their coin.
50 State Reading Challenge:
Participants have the option to read a book from each of the 50 states. To keep track of what they’ve read, they can color in a star for that state. Participants who finish this challenge will have an honorary 250th book plate in their name to be placed into a new book.