Whether you are an avid reader or looking to get back into the routine of reading, we have something for you.
The Algonquin Area Public Library District kicks off Winter Reading with amazing incentives to bring thrills and joy into reading again. Read and log your progress to earn fun badges and tickets for prizes. Logging your progress can be done either through Beanstack or on a paper log. Challenges and prizes are divided by age with Youth, Young Adult/Teen, and Adult categories.
Registration opens on December 10th for all ages and ends on January 31st, 2022. Enroll at any time after Dec. 10th.
Already enrolled?
What about the PRIZES?!?!?
Reading earns you tickets for chances to win great prizes like a $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD or one of many themed-prize baskets (shown below)! Note: Certain prize baskets are exclusively offered to certain age categories. Prize baskets are only offered to AAPLD Cardholders. Explore your Winter Reading Beanstack account for full details.
Print a Reading Log
If you prefer to track your reading on paper, print a log below or pick one up at the library.
Keep track of your books or hours of reading. Then come to either library location or call at 847-458-6060 (ext 135 for Youth or ext 143 for Teen and Adult) to log your books with us. We will alert you to any prizes you've earned!
Log your progress via the Beanstack tracker app
THE RACE IS ON....
Can our community read more than last year's Winter Reading Challenge?
Who will reach their community reading goal by January 31st? Do your best and make the most of it! Updates on the race will be emailed and posted here starting Dec. 17th.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
Youth (Infants - Grade 8)
Complete the challenge by reading for 5 hours and earn a paperback book, mini pop fidget (for ages 3 and up only), and squishy block (for infants and toddlers only). For every hour you read (up to 10 hours), you get a ticket for the grand prize drawing!
Teen (Grades 9-12)
There are small prizes for signing up, at the 10-hour mark, the 15-hour mark, and the 25-hour mark. For every hour you read (up to 10 hours), you will be entered into the grand prize drawing for our fun prize gift baskets!
Adult (Ages 18+)
Read up to 15 books to earn coupons and tickets for prize drawings. Simply read three books and you will be eligible for a small gift, plus you can add your name and book recommendation to our wall of mittens display!
Do you want to participate, but just don't know what to read anymore? We can help with that!
FAQs
You can reset your password yourself within the Beanstack sign-in page.
Still stuck? Contact the Library via phone at 847-458-6060 or fill out the Contact Us form.
Try your Library card number or email address.
If this doesn't work, contact the Library via phone at 847-458-6060 or fill out the Contact Us form.
In the spirit of keeping our Winter Reading program fun and challenging for all ages, what counts as reading to earn your prizes is detailed below:
For Youth, any content read by our little readers or read-aloud by another counts towards their Winter Reading Challenge. We have a superb collection of children's material including play-aways and audiobooks to bring out the joy of reading. Exposing children to new words is great for their development.
For Teens, your challenge is based on how many hours of reading you are doing. Reading can take place in many formats. Novels, comics, magazines, newspapers, graphic novels, audiobooks, and ebooks all count towards your Winter Reading Challenge.
For Adults, we challenge you to read 3 books before January 31st. Print books, eBooks, and audiobooks all count towards your Winter Reading Challenge.
Good luck! We are here to support you.
Beanstack is our online reading program software where you track all your reading progress.
Yes. You can set up as many profiles as you like, for readers of any age. If you’re a parent who reads aloud to more than one kid at a time, you can credit that reading time to multiple children’s accounts with a single click—no need to log it in separately for each of your avid listeners.
No. An AAPLD library card is not required and all are welcome to participate.
However, prizes must be picked up in person and will not be sent via mail to participants. Eligibility for grand prize baskets is limited to AAPLD cardholders. Non-AAPLD participants are qualified for milestone prizes. For further clarification on Winter Reading prizes, please call us at 847-458-6060.
If you do not have a library card, you can still sign up for Winter Reading. We recommend an email address, as your username, to participate.
Log Online:
- Beginning December 10, click on the Sign In button to get to your Beanstack account.
- Click the Log Reading and Activities button in the upper left corner. To log for different readers, change the reader in the drop-down menu on the upper right.
Log using the Beanstack Tracker app:
- Download the Beanstack Tracker app to get started: Google Play IOS
- To log your reading, flip your book over and use your phone to scan the barcode on the back. For Teen and Youth challenge participants, be sure to add the number of minutes or hours that you read.
You can print out a paper log or ask for one at the Harnish Main Library or Eastgate Branch Library. When you are ready to receive your prize(s), redeem them at either library location.
Tap that little “gear” button in the top right and hit “Edit Account."
Yes, you may. However, we encourage you to check out the wide variety of titles in our collection of over 225,000+ books, ebooks, & audiobooks.
A Librarian would be happy to recommend a book that suits your taste! Recommend me a book now.