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The Basics

Are you a reader? Do you want to rediscover a love for reading? Just want to try something new for relaxation or to grow your mind? Our Reading Challenge is open to all students, faculty, and staff at the Pitt regional campuses.

Help meet your campus library's reading goal by Wednesday, December 17, 2025. Surpass it and you may help your library WIN the Battle of the Pitt Regional Libraries!

• Bradford-Hanley: 125 books
• Greensburg-Millstein: 200 books
• Johnstown-Owen: 200 books
• Titusville-Haskell: 15 books 

In addition to contributing to your campus' reading goal, consider setting your own personal goal. For example,

• I will read one book for fun each month this semester.
• I will turn off the screens and read for 20 minutes every night to relax before bed.
• I will read a book that could make my life better/easier/etc. and make one change by the end of the semester.
• I will finally finish the book I started this summer within the next two weeks.
• I will finish 5 books this semester.

When you finish a book, don't forget to log it using the Reading Log form. (You can log the books you've read between August 25 and December 17.) You can also rate and review your book to share your recommendation with other readers if you'd like!

What Counts as a "Book"?

For the purpose of the challenge, a book is a story (fiction or non-fiction) told in long-form format. Examples include:

• "typical" print books or ebooks - any genre you enjoy 
  • if you fully read a book for a class assignment, go ahead and count it!
• audiobooks 
• graphic novels.

But poetry and short story collections, even a themed issue of a journal where each article relates to one another, can be included too!

Note: Films, videos, podcasts, and blogs as well as textbooks do not count towards this challenge.

Reading helps individuals learn, build vocabulary, develop critical thinking skills, improve their writing. But research shows the many benefits of reading, including:

• stress-reduction
• improved mood, focus, and concentration
• better sleep
  • turn off your screens!
• a sense of belonging
• an escape from the world
• a longer life.

Learn more with these suggested articles:

The benefits of reading for pleasure

The life-long benefits of reading for pleasure

Read yourself to a happier life

The truth about fiction: A longtime librarian discovers the health benefits of reading novels

Keep it short and find what you enjoy: how to start reading for fun