Winter Reading Challenge

You may submit your Winter Reading Challenge raffle entry form online or in-person (via contact-free methods).

To be eligible to enter the raffle, you must have completed at least one BINGO on a 2021 Winter Reading Challenge game card.

Raffle entries for the 2021 Winter Reading Challenge are closed. Winners will be contacted in mid-April.

Good luck!

Entry Option #1: ONLINE RAFFLE ENTRY

1. 1. Write your name across the top of your game card
   2. Take a clear photo of your game card, ensuring that your name is visible
   3. Complete the online raffle entry form, where you’ll be asked to upload a photo of your game card
   4. Submit the form along with your image file, and you’re done!

Entry Option #2: CONTACT-FREE RAFFLE ENTRY

• If you prefer to enter the raffle via contact-free methods:

1. 1. Bring your game card to your community library during open hours.
   2. Call the posted Contact-Free Pick Up phone number and request a raffle entry pack from staff.
   3. Fill out the raffle entry form, then place it AND your game card into the library’s outdoor book return.

Entry Option #2: IN-PERSON RAFFLE ENTRY

• For libraries offering limited in-person service:

1. 1. Bring your game card to your community library during open hours and request a raffle entry pack from staff.
   2. Fill out the raffle entry form, then place it AND your game card into the designated location, as directed by staff.

THIS SOUNDS GREAT! HOW DO I PLAY?

1. Visit your community library and request a bingo card OR print a Bingo card from the YVL website.
2. If you prefer a contact-free experience, simply go to your library during open hours and call the phone number on the Contact-Free Pick Up sign to request a game card. No appointment is necessary.
   
3. Read! And work toward a BINGO or black out by filling in book titles on your card.
4. Return your completed game card to your local library OR submit your game card online by Wednesday, March 31, 2021, and complete a raffle entry form for a chance to win one of several prizes.

DO I HAVE TO READ PRINT BOOKS?

Nope! You’re encouraged to enjoy all book formats, including books on CD, ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, etc.

DO I HAVE TO READ LIBRARY BOOKS?

Obviously, we love it when you check out books from your local community library, but books you own, borrow from a friend, or buy, all definitely count!

WHAT IF I NEED IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO READ?

If you’re stumped or would like book suggestions for some of the Bingo squares, you can ask library staff, check out NoveList Plus, or use one of YVL’s online book lists, some of which were specifically created for this program.

MY CHILD(REN) WOULD LOVE THIS! CAN THEY PLAY, TOO?

Sorry, no. This program is limited to adults 18 and older; however, we invite children and teens to participate in our annual summer reading program, which begins in June.

I READ A BOOK THAT COULD BE APPLIED TO MULTIPLE SPACES ON MY BINGO CARD. CAN I DO THAT?

Again, no—you can only use each title once.

WHAT IF I STARTED A BOOK IN 2020, BUT FINISHED IT AFTER THE NEW YEAR, AND/OR BEFORE I GOT MY BINGO CARD?

If it fits one of the categories, feel free to use it! As long as you were still reading the book at the start of 2021, it counts.

YOU MENTIONED PRIZES. TELL ME MORE…

If you complete and return your game board by Wednesday, March 31, 2021, you can enter your name in a drawing for one of several prizes – you choose which prize jar you would like your entry to go in.

For each BINGO you complete, you will also automatically be entered in a drawing for one of our grand prizes.  (See ‘PRIZES’ section below for a full list of prizes.)

HOW ARE BINGOs COUNTED?

• A completed bingo card can have up to five BINGOs – at which point you also have a blackout, meaning all the squares have been filled in.
• Each filled-in square/title can only be counted once.
• A card with a single bingo gives you one entry. A card with two bingos gives you two entries and so on.
• A card with a blackout gives you five entries – and they don’t all have to go into the same drawing.

WHEN WILL WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

We’ll draw names in April and will contact winners by phone or email.

We will make multiple attempts to contact winners, if needed.

However, if your name is drawn and we haven’t heard back from you within seven (7) days from when we first tried to contact you, we will draw another name.

Limit: One prize per person.

“PICK-YOUR-PRIZE” OPTIONS

• $15 Amazon gift card – 5 winners
• $15 Starbucks gift card – 5 winners
• $15 Inklings Bookshop gift card – 5 winners 
• $15 Encore Books gift card – 5 winners

GRAND PRIZES

For every BINGO you complete, you’ll also earn an entry into the raffle for one of these Grand Prizes:

• $50 Amazon gift card
• $50 Inklings Bookshop gift card
• $50 Encore Books gift card

Need some help deciding what to read for one of the Book Bingo categories? Try one of these book lists, which were specially curated for the 2021 Winter Reading Challenge!

• Suggested Book List: #WeNeedDiverseBooks
• Suggested Book List: Translated From Another Language
• Suggested Book List: 2020 Award Winners

Even if you can’t make it into a library, you can still play book bingo with us!

Just print a Winter Reading Challenge game card, read toward your bingo(s), and make sure to return the game card to your nearest community library (OR enter online) by Wednesday, March 31, 2021 to be eligible for the prize raffle.

• Click to print: 2021 Winter Reading Challenge – Game Card