Rogers Memorial Library Keeps It Local With Winter Reading Program

Celebrate Southampton this winter at Rogers Memorial Library with its annual winter reading program.

The library’s 20th annual winter reading program for adults began on January 9 and runs through March 27. To commemorate the special anniversary, the library is highlighting the best parts of Southampton and the East End with this year’s theme, “Keep It Local.”

Every book read or listened to will earn participants a chance to win one of the weekly or grand prizes, and a variety of other activities provide extra chances to win. Participants that read or listen to five books will earn a Rogers Memorial Library insulated tote. The library has gotten hundreds of dollars of donated prizes from local businesses, and in addition to raffle chances for each book read, patrons can earn extra entries by completing quizzes and activities relating to Southampton history and lore.

“It’s a great community event,” Marla Tomazin, a participant of the program said over the phone. “I think the library does such a great job. Rogers Memorial Library is such a gift to the community.”

It is not the kind of program that requires in-person attendance, Outreach and Reference Librarian Melissa Sutter explained. Patrons enroll online or in-person and log all the books they read from January 9 to March 27. Each week, the library chooses a few weekly prize-winners from those who have logged books that week — each book is an entry in that drawing. Each book is also an entry for the grand prizes, which are larger. Those raffles are pulled on March 28.

“It is a great way to increase reading incentive,” Sutter said. “We also have locally themed activities such as trivia, a scavenger hunt, and quizzes that earn people extra grand prize entries.”

This year, the library has 126 participants. By the end of last year’s program, they had 146. The library also recommends books throughout the online program, ranging in categories from Fantastic Fantasies, to Harrowing Horror, and Local Authors to Mystifying Mysteries.

“I’ve read quite a few books to put into the system. I like to read and it’s fun to play along with the program,” Tomazin said. This week, she logged the book “The House in the Pines,” by Ana Reyes. “You can choose whatever you want to read.”

This is Tomazin’s second year taking part in the winter reading program.

“They do fun little things. They have drawings and gifts and if you’re already reading, it makes it a bit more fun,” she said. “There are games you can access. I think if you’re already reading, it’s fun to keep track anyway. It’s also fun to get involved in the community.”

At the end of the season, the library counts how many books have been read and how many points each participant has received. There is a drawing of a few larger mystery prizes.

In addition to the reading program, in cooperation with generous local businesses, Rogers Memorial Library is piloting a new partnership with local businesses. Cardholders may present their cards to participating businesses for discounts.

Participating businesses include Hampton Coffee Company. Library cardholders will receive 10 percent off at Southampton and Water Mill locations through April 30. Publick House will offer 15 percent off food, excluding beverages, tax, and tip, through December 31.

VM Gokea — The Inheritance Lawyer will offer free estate plan evaluation, valid through December 31, located at 50 Station Road, Building 3, Suite 3 in Water Mill. Plain-T offers 10 percent off their entire showroom and on website with discount code RML10 to cardholders and FS Tennis Club is offering a $50 tennis lesson to new customers and 25 percent off the junior development tennis program for children through May. Coast Hampton has 15 percent off storewide and on a website with discount code RML15 for RML cardholders.

All cardholders must reside or own property in the Southampton and Tuckahoe school districts, which encourages a local customer base.

Businesses decide the offer they would like to provide, and how often a cardholder may use it. They may also decide if they would like to offer the discount only seasonally, or year-round. Finally, the length of the commitment is entirely up to the business — no full-year contract required.

In return, the library will advertise the business in all channels to its 17,325 residents (about the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden) served. Businesses will receive window clings to advertise their participation with the library.

“The grounds are beautifully kept as well, and the staff is pleasant,” Tomazin said, adding that in the spring, the staff grow produce such as lettuce in the library garden and sometimes give the food away to library attendees. “It’s got a very hometown feel. I love going there.”

Individuals or businesses interested in participating can contact Melissa Sutter via email at melissa@myrml.org or by phone at 631-283-0774, extension 504.