Check out a book in Worcester and get a free George’s Coney Island hot dog

Hot dogs and books, a match made in Worcester.

Children and teenagers who check out a book at any Worcester Public Library location between Friday, Feb. 23, and Sunday, Feb. 25, can get a free hot dog and a carton of chocolate milk from George’s Coney Island on Southbridge Street, the library and restaurant both announced Friday.

The partnership is a school vacation week promotion, the library said. Worcester Public Schools students started their vacation week on Monday, Feb. 19.

“It’s our small way to encourage families to keep reading over school vacation!” the restaurant said on Instagram.

Orders must be made in-person only, the post read. These orders are limited to “one special per person per day. Kids and teens must be present at [the] time of ordering.”

Both Worcester institutions ran the same promotion during school vacation week in February 2023, according to the library’s Facebook page. Students were also allowed to skate for free on the Worcester Common Oval courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Massachusetts.

The Worcester Public Library first opened in April 1860, according to its website, almost two weeks after the American Civil War began.

George’s Coney Island has served hot dogs, burgers, chocolate milk and more since 1918. Founded by Catherine and George Tsagarelis, granddaughter Kathryn Tsandikos said Catherine Tsagarelis made the restaurant a success, according to Coney Island’s website.

“No matter who came in — politicians, presidents of banks, the homeless — she treated everyone the same,’ Tsandikos said on the website. “During the Depression, they would give away hot dogs to boys from the Boys Club who didn’t have a nickel to buy a hot dog. People remember that.”

In April 2023, George’s Coney Island was named one of the top five best places in the world to get a Coney hot dog, according to TasteAtlas.