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Oceans of Possibilities – Summer Reading Program 2026

Summer Reading Program 2026

This year’s theme, Oceans of Possibilities, invites you to dive into new adventures and explore the depths of your imagination through reading. Track your reading time to earn prizes and join us for fun events this summer!

Sign Up Now! , opens a new window

Learn how to register, join this year's challenge, log minutes and more with the Beanstack tutorial.

Get Beanstack App in Apple Store, opens an external siteGet Beanstack App in Play Store, opens an external site

 

 

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 or print from home.
  • 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! 

Featured Events

Special Summer Events

Event

Explore Possibilities with Nature Journaling

Jun 25th | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
College Terrace Library
Slow down, unplug, and awaken your curiosity at this nature journaling workshop.
Event

Farmer Arann Music

Jun 27th | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downtown Library
Music, movement, and farm rhythms come together to create an engaging, hands-on sing-a-long for kids and grown-ups alike!
Event

Explore Possibilities with Nature Journaling

Jun 30th | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Rinconada Library
Slow down, unplug, and awaken your curiosity at this nature journaling workshop.
Event

Fratello Marionettes Presents: Jack and the Beanstalk

Jul 2nd | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children’s Library
Join us at the Children's Library in the Secret Garden for a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk by the Fratello Marionettes.
Event

Explore Possibilities with Nature Journaling

Jun 25th | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
College Terrace Library
Slow down, unplug, and awaken your curiosity at this nature journaling workshop.
Event

Farmer Arann Music

Jun 27th | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downtown Library
Music, movement, and farm rhythms come together to create an engaging, hands-on sing-a-long for kids and grown-ups alike!
Event

Explore Possibilities with Nature Journaling

Jun 30th | 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Rinconada Library
Slow down, unplug, and awaken your curiosity at this nature journaling workshop.
Event

Fratello Marionettes Presents: Jack and the Beanstalk

Jul 2nd | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children’s Library
Join us at the Children's Library in the Secret Garden for a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk by the Fratello Marionettes.

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.  

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