Motlow Smyrna Library Announces Winners for 'Unplug & Read'

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            The Motlow Smyrna Library participated in the annual, county-wide initiative known as “Unplug & Read” for the seventh consecutive year.

            This month-long event is sponsored by Read To Succeed, the literacy organization for Rutherford County. Its purpose is to encourage people of all ages and reading levels to “unplug” from televisions, computers, video games, cell phones, and other electronic devices to enjoy the relaxation, pleasure and educational enrichment of reading.

            The Smyrna Library has adapted the program to fit in with the college environment, though hopefully still get the message across of literacy awareness and lifelong learning. To qualify for prizes, participants must keep track of the time they spend reading “unplugged” for the entire month of February, fill out entry forms, and submit them.

            The entry forms were located in the library, along with the box where readers dropped off the completed entries, which could be submitted every day, every week, or at the end of the month. Qualifying materials could range from newspapers and magazines to textbooks and graphic novels, as long as they were true printed materials.

            While 2019 seemed to be a low participation year in number of individuals, they more than made up for limited numbers of participants with impressive amounts of time reading. Seven individuals took part in this event: one faculty member, one staff member, and five students. These seven industrious souls turned in a total of 13 entries and totaled 169 hours and 12 minutes of “analog” reading time in February.

            “I would like to personally thank each person who was dedicated to this task and followed through by submitting the entries. If even one additional person per year is inspired to read more, all the effort is worth it!” said Smyrna Librarian Paige Hendrickson.

            The winners included student Gabby McCardell with 30 hours; staff member Jeannieann Mathis with 8 hours; and faculty member Omar Tantawi with 117 hours! Each winner received a gift card provided by Hendrickson, who is already brainstorming for February 2020.

Gabby McCardell

Jeannieann Mathis

Omar Tantawi

Motlow Smyrna Library Hosts 'Unplug & Read!'

By Paige Hendrickson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

         SMYRNA -- In conjunction with Read To Succeed, the literacy organization for Rutherford County, the Motlow Smyrna Library is again hosting the event “Unplug & Read!” for the month of February.

         This leads nicely into the month of March as National Reading Month. This event is in its 11th year community-wide, and for Motlow libraries, this year marks the fifth year the college has promoted and hosted the event. All Motlow students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate.

         As the need for and presence of technology increases exponentially each year, Motlow's connection to these devices, apps and “life lines” becomes more dependent to function in today’s constant information overload. To offer some "downtime" to this perpetual tether to technology, the college is asking Motlow students, faculty and staff to “unplug” from all electronic devices and simply read! 

        

         Each time one “unplugs and reads” for 15 minutes or more, he or she qualifies to place an entry form in the box located in the library. The number of entry forms per person is unlimited, so for the rest of February, just “unplug,” read, and fill out the entry forms.

         Following are the rules for participation:

         * All participants must “unplug” from technology and "all" electronic devices to qualify by reading only printed materials.

         * Entries must cover materials read from Feb. 1-28, 2018.

         * Each reading session must be at least 15 minutes in length to qualify, but no limit for the total number of entries or limit for total time.

         * Each person submits "one" entry form for each reading session. Entry forms are placed in the prize-drawing box in the library.

         * The more one “unplugs and reads,” the more chances to win!

         Studying or reading for school or work count, too.

         Prizes will be given to the person in each category (student, staff and faculty) who has read for the longest amount of total time for the month of February. The deadline to turn in the entry forms is March 2, 2018 (Friday).

         Learn more about Read to Succeed by visiting www.readtosucceed.org.