February is Black History Month! To celebrate, the Newfields library is hosting a virtual month-long read-in inspired by the African American Read-In created by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
The first read-in was established in 1990 in an effort to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors. Today, the initiative has reached over 6 million people worldwide.
Learn more about the African American Read-In here.
Due to COVID restraints, the Paul Memorial Library has adapted this event as a virtual, self-paced program, focusing on books by Black authors.
Our goal is for each reader to log at least 60 minutes reading books by Black authors in the month of February.
We’ll be using the Reader Zone app to log reading minutes (the same program we used for Summer Reading and last year’s December read-a-thon).
Here’s how it works…
How to Participate
To participate, simply sign up with Reader Zone. You can download the app or log in through your desktop. (The app is super easy to use!)
- 1. Create an account and log in with the library’s program code: 1e931
- 2. Select “Newfields African American Read-In” program.
- 3. Choose which age group you want to participate in: Adult or Children
- 4. Log your reading minutes. The goal is 1 hour—you can complete it in one sitting or split it up through the month. Use the timer on the app or log your minutes manually after you’re done.
- 5. Don’t forget to check out the Book Bank. The Group Book Bank has a list of books by Black authors to help you choose. (The book banks have recs specific to each age group). Most of the books listed can be found at the Newfields library. We’re also happy to order any books through ILL.
**If you’ve already participated in a past reading program, then you can use your same logins as last time. The only difference is that this program is a time-based goal instead of a reading competition.
Call or email the library with any questions. Happy reading!
How to Create a Reader Zone Account
Step 1: Select Sign Up
To create a new account, sign up at readerzone.com
Step 2: Choose your account type.
Individual adult readers should select “Reader”
Parents sign up their kids should select “Parent”
Step 3: Create account.
Sign up by filling in your name, email, and password.
Step 4: Download the app or access account through desktop.
The easiest way to track your reading is through the Reader Zone app. Simply download the app on your phone and log in to start recording your reading through the library program. Remember to use the program code 1e931 to sign up for the Newfields African American Read-In.
If you don’t have a smartphone, or prefer to use desktop, click the “Access your account on Desktop” button to start recording your reading.
The screen will look like this:
Click “+Add Program” then enter the library program code: 1e931
Select your reader group: Adult or Children. Then log your reading minutes.
That’s it! The Read-In will be open for the entire month of February. Feel free to read beyond the 60 minutes goal.
Be sure to visit the library to check out our Black History Month displays, get additional book recommendations, and pick up our Black History Month craft.
If you have questions, call or email the library and we’d be happy to assist you!
