Read-a-Thon

Reading enthusiasts are joining forces this winter to help raise money for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Readers can enroll in the Winter Read-a-Thon at any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch. For a $5 donation, participants will receive a clock bookmark to help track reading time, a pledge form (for friends and family to pledge money for every hour spent reading) and a calendar of related library events. From January 8 to February 19, readers will be asked to track their reading time and, at the end of the five weeks, collect and return donations to the Library. Incentive prizes, including Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh merchandise, will be awarded based on the amount collected.

On January 8, a Community Read-In will kick-off the Read-a-Thon festivities. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., library visitors can bring blankets and lawn chairs to the Main Library in Oakland to curl up with a cup of cocoa and read. Local authors Mitchell James Kaplan, Gwyn Cready, Todd DePastino and Rebecca O'Connell will read from their latest works, and librarians will be on hand to offer advice on this season's "must-reads."

Proceeds from the Read-a-Thon will help keep Carnegie Library well-supplied with books, magazines, audiobooks and other reading material. For more information, visit www.carnegielibrary.org or call 412-622-3114.