Library to host adult winter reading program

There’s going to be a murder at the Maryville Public Library.

The library’s first adult winter reading program, “Murder, Mystery and Magic in the Library,” features an adults-only murder mystery night, a presentation on the “Life and Death Abraham Lincoln,” and a book swap. Although the presentations are central pieces to the program, library director Stephanie Patterson said this three-month event is all about reading.

“This is to encourage adults to read more,” Patterson said. “In January people set a lot of goals and you’re shut indoors. This is something to do when you get cabin fever.”

The Jan. 2 to March 6 program, modeled after the library’s successful children’s summer reading program, is incentive-based – with nearly $1,000 worth of incentive.

“Any adult library card holder 18 and up, for any book they read they will earn a prize ticket they can use to either buy a prize or enter to win a prize basket,” Patterson said.

Prizes range from T-shirts and restaurant coupons, to oil changes and haircuts; baskets hold multiple items. The more books participants read, listen to as an audiobook, or read as an eBook, the more prizes they earn.

No matter how many, or how few, books people read, Patterson said the library wanted everyone to have a chance.

“We have a lot of retirees who read a lot,” she said. “But the reading goal for a young mother or father who work might just be to read a book a month.

We wanted the program designed to where they could win something.”

Patterson said library staff is excited about the program, but they don’t know what kind of turnout to expect.

“We have no idea,” she said. “This is a test pilot. Anywhere from 20 to 200. I really don’t know. We’re going to see how this goes this year. We’d like to do it every year if it goes well. We’ll change it the way the patrons like it.”

Even though the reading program is more than a month away, assistant director Wilma Henggeler said library patrons are already talking about it.

“I know there has been some interest already,” she said. “One guy really wanted to get signed up because he didn’t want to miss it.”

Murder Mystery Night at the Library – an 18 and older event – is Jan. 8; the doors open at 6:15 p.m., the performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for library cardholders and $15 for non-library cardholders.

“We have two actors from a troupe who do murder mysteries,” Patterson said. “They are in character and greet the attendees and put on a performance and the audience has a chance to solve the crime. It sounds like fun.”

Northwest Missouri State University history professors Drs. Michael Steiner and Joel Benson will present The Life and Death of Abraham Lincoln. The library will also unveil a temporary Civil War exhibit that night. The library hasn’t announced a date for this free presentation.

The last library event for the adult reading program, the Spring Fever Paperback Swap, is for adults to bring in their used paperback to trade with others “for fresh reads,” Patterson said. “This is to try to keep them reading for the rest of the year.”

Although the library focuses on many children’s programs, Patterson said this one for adults is important.

“We want to focus on adults because we have such success in the summer months for the kids,” she said, smiling. “The kids shouldn’t get all the fun.”

Local businesses and individuals donating prizes are: My Favorite Muffin, A&G Restaurant, Movie Magic, Curves, Hair Clinique, Wilmes Tire, Beemers, Bittersweet Floral and Gifts, Maryville Florist, Jocks Nitch, Delbert’s Garage, Jass Salon, Baker Chiropractic, Powell Optometry, Wilma Henggeler of Stampin’ Up, Posh Consignment, free genealogy research from Mandy Brown, “Darkness Walks” by Jason Offutt, a matted photograph from Debbie Clark, Browns Shoes, Taco Johns, McDonald’s Restaurant, Maryville Public Library, Hair It Is, Sonic, KFC, Mr. Goodcents, Herbs ‘n’ Whey, Harris Dental and Bearcat Lanes.

For updates on the events, check the library’s website at http://www.maryvillepubliclibrary.lib.mo.us/, or follow the library on Facebook.