The Grand Marais Public Library’s Winter Reading Program concluded this season with strong participation and clear evidence of what is possible when a community actively supports literacy.

This year’s program combined a simple, game-based design with a wide range of community activities. Participants used an all-ages BINGO-style reading log to track progress and engage with reading in a playful, flexible format. The program also included weekly scavenger hunts, six weeks of Friday Night Reels film screenings for adults, Dance for All!—a full-body modern dance experience welcoming all abilities and mobilities—a beaded bookmark-making event, and free activity books distributed throughout the season.

This structure was strengthened through partnerships with Hungry Hippie Tacos, Java Moose, and Drury Lane Books. Each partner contributed in ways that made reading both rewarding and visible in the broader community. Youth participants engaged with a range of prize opportunities tied to different levels of achievement. Select milestones included food and treat coupons, while early successes were reinforced with free book vouchers—supporting both immediate engagement and the longer-term goal of building home libraries and strengthening reading habits.

The results reflect sustained engagement: 76 registered participants completed 323 BINGOs. Youth participation was especially strong, with 58 participants completing 251 BINGOs.

“This program demonstrates a simple but important truth: when a community shows up for literacy, measurable results follow,” said Elektra Branwen, Library Director. “Our partners helped create a vision of Cook County where reading is playful, shared, and part of how we connect with each other—and participants responded with enthusiastic engagement.”

The Library extends its thanks to all three partners for their role in this year’s success. It takes a community to build readers—and this year’s results reflect a community that showed up.

The Library is now planning its Summer Reading Program, themed Plant a Seed, Read. Organizations and businesses interested in partnership opportunities are invited to connect with the Library as planning continues. The program launches Monday, June 8. Readers can learn more closer to the date by calling 218-387-1140 or visiting grandmaraislibrary.org.