Westfield Family’s Little Free Library Bingo Encourages Kids to Discover Books

WESTFIELD, NJ — Sara Liptack understands the importance of reading. As a teacher at Westfield High School and parent, she has seen how reading can help students grow their imaginations and make connections they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

“These are things screentime can’t offer,” Liptack said. “Mindlessly scrolling or playing video games is not going to do. As an educator, I believe that every brain connection a child can make is valuable. And as they read, they make connections without even realizing it.”

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She and her husband built a Little Free Library , a tiny two-shelf free lending library, nine years ago in front of their home on 710 E. Broad St. This summer, she’s running a summer reading bingo game from it.

Some tasks on the bingo board include reading in a pillow fort, reading to someone younger than you and reading a book in a different language. Liptack hopes the program can help bring joy to everyone who participates and gives them something to look forward to while reading over the summer.

To add further incentive for participants, Liptack used social media to ask if anyone would like to contribute prizes for the bingo game. FroYo donated coupons for free children's cones with a topping, and real estate agent Bernadette Houston donated gift cards from the Chocolate Bar, Liptack said. Others donated Starbucks gift cards to the prize pool.

Students who complete the bingo board can also receive literary-themed pillows and other fun prizes. The program's goal is to make reading fun during the summer and help kids find new favorite books.

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Liptack knows students often stop reading during the summer because it is not considered a priority. Adding more incentive to reading over the summer is very important to her, and she said it has been enjoyable to see the support from people in town.

“Hopefully, it's benefiting a lot of people. When kids are reading, families are happy,” Liptack said. “Our goal is to make everybody keep reading and enjoy reading while supporting local businesses.”

Liptack remembers when she was a kid and would “rip through” the books of R.L. Stine over the summer and get lost in the world of the “Goosebumps” books. Now her own daughter, Lyra, who is turning 10 this month, is reading lots, as well. Having many books to choose from helps.

“You get kids that find their favorite author and series, and they can't put it down. That's what I hope to encourage with this love of reading,” said Liptack.

Liptack has heard how much of a chore reading can be for students when a parent or teacher tells them to do it. The Little Free Library is a resource in the Westfield community that allows kids to organically start reading a book they can fall in love with.

“Here's this box where there are no rules, and you can take as many books as you want, or you can leave books or pass through your books on once you're done with them,” Liptack said. “To not have the rules attached and just to be able to enjoy reading is our goal.”

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