Summer Reading for a Cause 2025
Get ready to take off with our reading program, running June 1 through August 1! This year’s theme, Book a Trip, invites readers of all ages to explore new worlds, enjoy fun events, earn prizes, and make a difference.
Learn how to register, join this year's challenge, log minutes and more with the Beanstack tutorial!
How to Participate (June 1–August 1)
#1 - Create Your Account
- New Readers: We use an app called Beanstack to track reading progress and participation. Setting up an account is easy and only takes a few minutes. Watch this tutorial video for a basic rundown or contact us for help. Your Beanstack account is not connected to your library account in any way—it's only for this specific app
- Returning Readers: Sign in to Beanstack and start logging your reading! The action of logging automatically enrolls you in our program.
- Opt-in to Beanstack emails. These weekly emails are separate from the library's monthly newsletter and contain info about upcoming events and book recommendations based on your reading.
#2 - Log Your Reading
- We have a 3-tiered program on the Beanstack for kids (0-12), teens (13-17) and adults (18+). You may also pick up a reading log at the library.
- Complete each tier to earn prizes and raffle entries. Track the time you spend reading/listening. All types of reading count–audiobooks, comics, articles, magazines, storytimes. Read or listen to whatever you like!
- If we reach our community goal of logging 25,000 hours, we will donate $2000 to Pupcycled through our Friends of the Palo Alto Library.
#3 - Prize Pickup
- After completing Tier 1, you have earned your prize! Complete the remaining tiers to earn raffle entries for our grand prize drawings.
- Prizes can be picked up at Mitchell Park or Rinconada Libraries from July 1 to August 31. Grand prize winners will be announced on August 15. Make sure to complete and submit your reading log by this time to be eligible to win!