Move Over, Pokémon: Shelby County Public Library announces collectible card-based literacy program

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:21 AM

By Staff report

Shelby County Public Library invites patrons to participate in a national reading incentive program called Reading Dragons and Friends.

Reading Dragons, a collectible card-based program designed to promote positive reading habits, encourages readers of any ability or age by rewarding them for the time they spend reading. New mythical creature cards can be earned by hitting weekly reading goals.

Students interested in participating will be able to sign up at the Youth Services desk at the main library and at the Morristown branch on February 1. Each week a student reads 20 minutes a day for four days, they can come in and pick up a set of cards to grow their collection. The program will be ongoing until at least 2027.

Over 400 libraries have access to this free program in 42 states and five countries. Reading Dragons was developed at Dover Public Library in Dover, Ohio, by librarians Liz Strauss and Mallory Thompson. The goal is to motivate individuals to read regularly at their own pace and to foster a lifelong love of reading.

For further information about the Reading Dragons program at SCPL, contact Youth Services Director Dustin Jones at (317) 398-7121 (ext. 305).