BONNYVILLE- The Bonnyville Municipal Library is encouraging residents not to judge a book by its cover.
For the month of February, the local branch is offering a Blind Date with a Book to get readers to take a step out of their comfort zone. There will be a number of bundles available for a number of different age groups throughout the month.
Kat Eliason, program manager for the Bonnyville library, said they’ve been offering the program on and off for the past few years.
“It’s a great opportunity to broaden your reading and pick up something you maybe normally wouldn’t pick up for yourself off the shelf,” she explained.
Each pack will have a few different books that range in genre to ensure there’s something for everyone.
“There will be a number of books together, so if something really doesn’t catch your interest, then you’ll have another option.”
Eliason added, “It will be a blended bundle instead of putting them together by genre or stuff like that.... We’ll mix it up so there’s something that catches your interest . . . If you’re not sure what to read next or you’re looking to branch out and try something different, it’s just a really fun way to do it.”
The program was changed slightly this year due to COVID-19. Typically, some books would be on display at the library with a genre on it or a line from the first page stuck to it, and the title and author’s name hidden.
Now that the library is only opened for curbside pick-up, all readers have to do is call ahead, let the library know they’re interested in picking up a Blind Date with a Book bundle, and tell them the age that best suits their needs.
Libraries all over participate in programs similar to this, which are mainly done to encourage people to expand the types of books they read. Eliason believes the program is a great way to prevent people from judging books by their cover.
“People tend to stick to what they know and what they like. A lot of the time people are like ‘oh, I really like this genre’ and you might be surprised at what else you like to read or what other author you’re exposed to that will take you on a whole new reading journey.”
Readers interested in picking up a Blind Date with a Book bundle can call the library at 780-826-3071.
