'Winter Jackets' Reading Program Begins Feb. 1 at Hennepin County Libraries

“The Snow Angel,” “The Chocolate Snowman Murders” and “Dashing Through the Snow” are a few of the books Hennepin County Library staff recommends when “the weather outside is frightful.”

What are you reading? Hennepin County Library invites readers age 17 and up to share their comments about what they’re reading by participating in “Winter Jackets,” a free adult reading program scheduled Feb. 1-28 at all Hennepin County libraries.

Presented in collaboration with the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) and back by popular demand for its fifth year, “Winter Jackets” encourages adults to read to their hearts’ content throughout I Love to Read Month (February), then post book reviews at their local library. Public libraries throughout the seven-county metro area (www.melsa.org) are participating in the “Winter Jackets” program.

Whether you like fiction or nonfiction in print, as an audiobook on a CD or downloaded to an MP3, or downloaded to your computer or eReader, make the most of a season of snow and cold by curling up indoors with lots of great books, sharing your reading recommendations with others and finding out about lots of great titles to add to your reading list.

Three Ways to Share

Hennepin County Library offers you three ways to share your book recommendations with others:

• Fill out a “Winter Jackets” book review form. Look for a “Winter Jackets” display with blank review forms at your local library. At Home Service patrons who are homebound can submit their book recommendations via a review form included in the At Home Reader newsletter and materials mailed to them, and by phone.

• Create book lists to share online via Hennepin County Library’s BookSpace.

• Add your comments about books via Hennepin County Library’s online catalog.

“One of the great things about this metro-wide program is that adults can participate whether they read fiction, mysteries, poetry, biographies or other nonfiction,” said Hennepin County Library Director Lois Langer Thompson. “It’s a great opportunity to share what you’re reading, as well as find out about good books.”

As part of the month-long “Winter Jackets” reading program, a “Winter Jackets Book Chat” is scheduled on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Hennepin County Library – Brookdale, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway. Librarians will talk about books they’ve enjoyed over the past year and patrons will be invited to talk about some of their favorites, too.  Registration is requested and begins Jan. 15 (call 612-543-5600).

For more information, visit your library, go online to www.hclib.org or Ask Us. For a list of library locations and hours: http://www.hclib.org/pub/info/locations.cfm.

To see Library staff’s “What We’re Reading” list: http://www.hclib.org/pub/bookspace/WhatWereReading/Reviews.cfm