Eastern Branch to pilot Read Like a Library Champion contest

SHREWSBURY — The Monmouth County Library’s Eastern Branch has been chosen as a pilot library for the Read Like a NJ Library Champion program .

The Eastern Branch is one of 10 libraries from across the state chosen by the New Jersey State Library to participate in the program, which will offer patrons the chance to win tickets to IZOD Center events by reading books.

The program is a partnership between the New Jersey State Library and the New Jersey Sports Exposition Authority to encourage readers to Read Like a NJ Library Champion by logging in the books they read at www.njlibrarychampions.org.

Library patrons can win tickets two ways: enter the contest online and be eligible for a statewide drawing; or enter at one of the pilot libraries.

Eastern Branch will have one set of four tickets to give away to one lucky family for each of four upcoming events at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford: Monster Truck Jam, Harlem Globetrotters, Stars on Ice and Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Special entry ballots will be available at the Eastern Branch Library, located at 1001 Highway 35. Participants must enter the name of a book recently read to qualify for the contest. No duplicate entries, please.

Special drawings will be held at Eastern Branch to choose the ticket winner for each event. The first drawing will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, for the four tickets to the Monster Truck Jam event. For more information on each event, visit www.izodcenter.com.

Library Champions is a community based public awareness campaign featuring role models from the sports, entertainment and literary fields designed to encourage reading and educate the public about the important role New Jersey libraries have in transforming the lives of their patrons. Celebrity Library Champions include best-selling author and New Jersey native Judy Blume, Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, Eagles defensive end Trent Cole, Harlem Globetrotter Blenda Rodriguez, Devils forward Zach Parise and Nets guard Devin Harris.

In addition to the contest at Eastern Branch, library patrons can also enter the State Library’s contest online. The online program works like this: Go to njlibrarychampions.org, click on contest and events; select a listed event; follow the prompt to “Enter to win”; log in completed book title, author and contact information. For more information, visit the Monmouth County library’s website at www.monmouthcountylib.org.