Summer Reading Program 2026
Our reading program has come to an end. Thank you for reading with us this summer. Together, we read and listened for over 2 million minutes! 
Prizes are available while supplies last:
- Mitchell Park Library: prizes for teens and kids may be available
- Rinconada Library: prizes for teens and kids may be available
- Children's Library: prizes for adults and kids may be available
Raffle drawings will happen in mid-August. Winners will be contacted directly through email.
#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 click on this year's challenge to enroll!
- 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.
- 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!
#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, Rinconada or Children's libraries from July 1 to August 31 while supplies last. Raffle prize winners will be announced mid-August. Make sure to complete and submit your reading log by this time to be eligible to win!
Prizes
Tier 1: Read for 5 Hours
If you log at least 5 hours of reading, you've earned a prize! Prizes can be picked up starting July 1 through August 31 at Mitchell Park, Rinconada, or Children's libraries while supplies last.
Kids Prize:
Book + FOPAL, opens a new window Book Bucks + Free Scoop from The Penny Ice Creamery, opens a new window
Teen Prize:
$5 Peet's Gift Card + FOPAL, opens a new window Book Bucks + Free Scoop from The Penny Ice Creamery, opens a new window
Adult Prize:
Collectible Pin + FOPAL, opens a new window Book Bucks + Free Scoop from The Penny Ice Creamery, opens a new window
Tier 2: Read 1O More Hours – One Raffle Entry
Tier 3: Read 15 More Hours – Extra Raffle Entry
Earn raffle entries for our grand prize drawings when you complete the remaining tiers. Make sure to complete and submit your reading log by August 15 to be eligible for the drawings.
Winners will be drawn from each age group. Prizes will be randomly assigned and may look different from images shown.
Kids Raffle Prizes:
Winner 1: Two spots for Pacific Art League’s Summer Camp Art Academy (2027 Season)
Winner 2: Six one-day family swim passes to the Rinconada Pool, opens a new window
Winner 3: Four tickets to the Palo Alto Children’s Theater (2026–2027 season)
Winner 4: $50 Crepevine gift card
Teen Raffle Prizes:
Winner 1: Two passes to Great America
Winner 2: Four tickets to Winter Lodge, opens a new window
Winner 3: $50 Crepevine + $25 Ada's Cafe gift cards
Winner 4: $50 Crepevine + $20 Books Inc. gift cards
Adult Raffle Prizes:
Winner 1: Filoli, opens a new window Annual Membership
Winner 2: $100 Crepevine + $20 Ada's Cafe gift cards
Winner 3: $75 Wildseed, opens a new window gift card
Winner 4: Two free boxes at Asian Box + $25 Coupa Cafe gift card
Sponsors
We’re especially grateful to our Friends of the Palo Alto Library for providing the funding for our program. Many thanks to all other sponsors and partners, whose gifts enhance our participants’ experiences in the summer reading program. We couldn’t provide all the fun and prizes without their generous support.
