The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elf pops up on library shelf with books
A clever little elf is finding a new place to hide every day in the cracks and crevices of the Amherst Public Library at 221 Spring St.
Running until Dec. 21, the library’s Elf on the Shelf contest allows children to peruse the second floor of the building every day to see where the elf is hiding next.
“We play hot and cold with the kids if they’re really struggling,” said Nancy Tomek, youth services manager at the library.
Each day that a youngster finds the elf, his or her name, phone number and address are put into a drawing to be pulled at noon Dec. 21 to choose a winner.
The winner will receive an Elf on the Shelf book and the actual elf from the library, Tomek said.
“Because they’ll be winning the book and the elf himself, if they can get it the weekend prior to Christmas, then they can play it in their home, too,” she said.
Avery Azok, 4, of Amherst, regularly attends storytime programming at the library and said she finds it fun to find the elf because “he walks around in the night.”
The contest is in its second year, bringing in 113 participants last year.
Tomek said the library is well on its way to surpass that number this year.
Elf on the Shelf combines two of the library’s most popular programs: scavenger hunts and holiday-themed activities.
“Because they’ll be winning the book and the elf himself, if they can get it the weekend prior to Christmas, then they can play it in their home, too,”
— Nancy Tomek, youth services manager
“To keep it up in this floor where we have our children’s materials, instantly draws the kids’ interest,” Tomek said. “Adults love it because it has been a thing that’s been popular over the years.
“But some of the people don’t have (an elf), so this is their way to do it and do it on a daily basis with them.”