By Ann Zydek
Library Director

WARSAW — The “Get Caught Reading” campaign sponsored by “Every Child a Reader” and the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation promotes the fun of reading books for all ages all year and celebrates May as “Get Caught Reading Month.”

Originally founded by the Association of American Publishers in 1999, the “Get Caught Reading” campaign continues to offer librarians and teachers posters featuring celebrities such as Jeff Gordon, Alicia Keys, and Mayim Bialik.

This May I challenge you to “Get Caught Reading.” Set aside a special time each day for leisure reading. Try to have fun reading for at least 30 minutes daily.

Kick back with an article, book or magazine you love reading. Enjoy listening to an audio book in your car or while making supper. To help build a reading habit, put books everywhere within your reach.

Take a selfie or have someone take your picture reading in your favorite place. Tag us on Warsaw Community Public Library’s Facebook page or on Instagram @warsawindianalibrary with your “Get Caught Reading” picture to help promote reading. Catch others reading. If you want to share someone’s image with the library, remember to get permission first.

Reading is an important part of a well-rounded life. Research shows that early language experience stimulates a child’s brain to grow and reading to children in the first five years gives them a big advantage when they start formal schooling. As your reading ability matures, it helps your brain build language, literacy and social-emotional skills for a lifetime of success.

Reading during stressful times can be very beneficial for your physical and mental health. It helps to distract the mind away from worries and to refocus. So keep a book handy wherever you go.

Need something to read? Plant the Seed—Read! Community Book Read sponsored by Kosciusko Literacy Services, Indiana Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities continues this year until May 15. I am reading this year’s “Explore Home” Community Book Read title, “The Year We Left Home,” by Jean Thompson.

Did you know “place” is central to our identity and culture? Explore the meaning of “home” and living in the Midwest during “Get Caught Reading Month.” Visit the library or explore warsawlibrary.org for other reading possibilities.