The Portage la Prairie Regional Library has tweaked their reading challenges for 2021.

Program coordinator Allissa Cannon says they have a Teen Summer Self-Care and Reading Challenge in the form of a BINGO card with 24 different tasks to complete.

"Well, we don't want them to think books are boring. We want them to read and that it doesn't just have to just be a solitary thing," says Cannon. "We've got reading in your pajamas, going out with friends in here. It's not just about reading. We've got do your laundry on there! We just want teens to explore the reading."

Cannon adds they also have an Adult Summer Self Care & Reading challenge. She says they do these challenges regularly and they always try to make them interesting and fun.

"We do it every winter and every summer, these larger ones anyway," says Cannon. "This summer, we wanted to put a spin on it and add a little bit of self care. That's why we have 'call the family' and 'make supper for your family' (on the BINGO card)."

These are the prizes that can be won in the contest.

On the reading side, Cannon says these challenges help people who do not know what to read next.

"A reading challenge is a great way to find new authors, new genres, different books that you normally wouldn't pick out for yourself," says Cannon. "The staff at the library is great at going and picking out books for you, too, if you're struggling to find books."

Anyone who completes the BINGO card will get twelve tickets into the draw for some prizes. She notes that you do not need to finish the card to enter. Completing several lines will also earn you tickets. The prizes for teens include an LED alarm clock and a Polaroid camera. For adults, the prizes are a Himalayan Scentsy warmer and a paint set for pour painting. The deadline to get your tickets in for the draw is September 18th. The draw will be taking place on September 21st.