2024 Winter Reading Challenge

    Yakima Valley Libraries welcomes the community to join our annual Winter Reading Challenge. From January 1st through April 1st, we invite you to grab a Bingo game card, READ, mark off the categories to complete a Bingo or a blackout, and enter to win a variety of prizes. Plus, everyone who returns a completed game card will earn a collectible Winter Reading Challenge pin or keychain.

    See complete challenge rules below.

    This year, for the first time, kids and teens are invited to participate in the Winter Reading Challenge under the title Winter Adventure. Visit this link for game rules.

    HOW TO PLAY BOOK BINGO

    1. Visit a library near you, or the Bookmobile, and request a Book Bingo card OR go to ‘Printable Game Cards’ in the dropdown menu below to print your card(s) at home.
    2. READ and work toward a Bingo or blackout by filling in book titles on your game card.   
    3. To be entered into the Winter Reading Challenge drawing, return your completed game card to one of our 16 library locations or the Bookmobile by Monday, April 1, 2024.

    Please see complete drawing entry instructions in the dropdown menu below.

    THE FINE PRINT: You are on your honor to read books before adding them to your Winter Reading Challenge Bingo card. Cheating, skimming, or just reading reviews online will invoke bad winter karma which may include sniffles, lack of marshmallows in your hot chocolate, or losing your mittens.

    You may submit your Winter Reading Challenge Bingo card and drawing entry form in-person at any of our 16 library branches or the Bookmobile.

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

    *To be eligible to enter the drawing, you must complete at least one Bingo on a 2024 Winter Reading Challenge game card.

    THIS LOOKS LIKE FUN! HOW DO I PLAY?

    1. Visit a library near you and request a Bingo card OR print a Bingo card from the drop-down menu below.
    2. READ and work toward a Bingo or blackout by filling in book titles on your card.
    3. Return your completed game card to one of our 16 library locations or Bookmobile by Monday, April 1, 2024. Then, complete a drawing entry form for a chance to win one of several prizes.

    DO I HAVE TO READ PRINT BOOKS?

    You are encouraged to enjoy your books using a variety of formats including books on tape/CD, eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, etc.

    WHAT IF I STARTED A BOOK IN 2023 BUT FINISHED IT
    AFTER THE NEW YEAR?

    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 2024, it counts.

    DO I HAVE TO READ LIBRARY BOOKS?

    We love it when you check out books from your local libraries, but books you own, borrow from a friend, or buy, all definitely count!

    WHAT IF I NEED IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO READ?

    If you would like book suggestions for some of the Bingo squares, feel free to ask library staff, visit NoveList Plus (www.yvl.org/novelist), or use one of our online book list recommendations (see the ‘Suggested Book List’ dropdown below), some of which were specifically created for this program.

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

    Yes! This year, the Library will host a reading and activity challenge for kids and teens called Winter Adventure. Similar to Book Bingo, kids are challenged to read books within six book genres AND participate in library activities.

    Visit this link for game rules.

    HOW ARE BINGOs COUNTED?

    • A completed Bingo card can have up to five Bingos—at which point you have a blackout, meaning all the squares have been filled in.
    • Each filled-in square/book title can only be counted once.
    • A card with a single Bingo gives you one drawing entry. A card with two Bingos gives you two drawing entries, and so on.
    • A card with a blackout gives you five drawing entries—they do not have to go into the same drawing.

    YOU MENTIONED PRIZES. TELL ME MORE…

    If you complete and return your game board by Monday, April 1, 2024, you can enter your name into a drawing for one of several drawing prizes—you choose the prize jar for each entry.

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

    WHEN WILL WINNERS BE ANNOUNCED?

    We will draw names in April and contact winners by phone or email. Notified winners must respond within fourteen (14) days from notice. If we do not hear back from notified winners, we will draw another name.

    Limit: one prize per person.

    Complete at least one Bingo and return your game card by Monday, April 1, 2024 to be entered to win one of several prizes!

    For each Bingo you complete, you will also automatically be entered in a drawing for one of our three grand prizes. So, the more you read, the more chances you have to win. 

    “PICK-YOUR-PRIZE” OPTIONS

    • $15 Starbucks Gift Card
    • $15 Inklings Gift Card
    • $15 Amazon Gift Card
    • Library Swag Bundle (mug, library magnet, bumper sticker & tote)

    GRAND PRIZES

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

    • $40 Inklings Gift Card
    • $40 Amazon Gift Card
    • 2024 State Fair Tickets (2 adults)
    • Museum Admission for two + $25 gift shop certificate (Yakima Valley Museum OR Yakama Nation Museum & Cultural Center)

    Prizes made possible through the generous support of the Yakima Valley Libraries Foundation. Thank you!

    Need some help deciding what to read for your Book Bingo categories? Try one of these book lists, which were specially curated for the 2024 Winter Reading Challenge!

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

    Simply print a Winter Reading Challenge game card, read toward your Bingo(s), and make sure to return the game card to your nearest library by Monday, April 1, 2024 to be eligible to win the drawing prizes.

    Click the following links to print your game card(s):

     

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