Worcester Library Hides Golden Tickets In Books For Chance At Prizes

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Public Library has a less sinister — but still fun — take on the Willy Wonka golden ticket contest.

The library has hidden golden tickets in books available through its three book vending machines at Union Station, the YMCA Central Branch and the Worcester Senior Center. If you check out the right book and find a ticket, you could win prizes like a Chromebook, Nintendo Switch, a $150 grocery store gift card and more.

Plus, of course, the literary adventure.

“We believe that every journey into literature is an adventure waiting to happen,” said
WPL Executive Director Jason Homer said in a news release. “With the Golden Ticket Adventure, we aim to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and reward the spirit of exploration in our community.”

The contest is meant to increase the use of the three book vending machines, which debuted last summer. Each machine contains about 300 books, which are free to check out with your library card.

The golden ticket promotion follows the library's viral cat photo promotion, where the library forgave late fees when patrons simply presented a photo of a cat — any cat. The golden tickets were stashed in the vending machines Wednesday, just in time for reading adventures during April school vacation next week.