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Aiken library outlines winter programming: PBS reading marathon, Jane Austen party, Lego Derby and teen council plans
Summary
Library director announced a PBS Utah–funded reading marathon for November with a January celebration, a Jane Austen birthday event planned for Dec.16, the library taking over the Lego Derby and steps to form a teen library council to boost youth engagement.
Director Michael Thompson told the board the library received a PBS Utah grant to support a November reading initiative that will culminate in an early-January party for participants who submit a completed reading log; every child who completes the program will receive a free book.
Thompson also outlined recurring community programs: quarterly "book bedazzling" crafts, ladies night (attendance has varied), a planned Jane Austen 200th birthday celebration on Dec. 16 featuring a small ball, Regency dance instruction and a costume contest, and giveaways of a three-volume Austen set. The board discussed logistics and staffing for those events.
The library said it will take on the city-hosted Lego Derby (tentatively Nov. 8) and is considering running a daddy-daughter dance in February. Staff proposed opening a teen library council (previously discussed in June) with roughly 5–7 members and a suggested quorum of 3–4 to advise on programming and collection purchases; members said a council could help recruit teens to book clubs and events.
The director described a potential health-and-wellness program in January involving a mobile body-scanning vendor that requires a minimum of 20 participants at $75 each; the library could help sponsor and pair the scans with a resource fair.
Board members generally supported the slate of events and asked staff to post volunteer and council-application materials to attract participants ahead of the winter season.
