Read for a cause, share your story, and make a difference!
We did it! Library lovers like you in our community read over 24,000 books in just 2 months!
Our summer reading program has ended, but you can still pick up any earned reading prizes before the end of August. Grand prize raffle winners will be announced in mid-August.
While you're here, print out your very own certificate of completion for extra bragging rights 😉
Featured Events
All Upcoming Events
How to Participate - New Readers
#1 - Create Your Account
- We use an app called Beanstack to track reading progress and participation. Setting up an account is very easy and only takes a few minutes to complete. Watch this tutorial video for a basic rundown if you're lost, 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.
- Please make sure you opt-in to Beanstack emails. These weekly emails are completely separate from the library's monthly newsletter and contains important info about upcoming events and book recommendations based on your reading.
#2 - Earn Digital Badges
- We have a 3-tiered program on the Beanstack website or app for kids (0-12), teens (13-17) and adults (18+). Adults, you do not have to read hundreds of books to earn a badge like the kiddos do for Tier 3.
- Each audience has a set goal of books to read to complete each tier. This year teens have the extra option of attending library events to complete their tiers and earn Beanstack badges.
- If our readers log in 20,000 books (or more!) we will donate $2500 to The Foundation for a College Education.
#3 - Prize Pickup
- After completing Tier 1, you have earned your completion prize! Keeping reading and logging in books to complete all three tiers and earn extra raffle tickets to be entered into a grand prize drawing.
- Prizes can be picked up at Children’s, Mitchell Park and Rinconada Libraries from July 1 to August 31. Three grand prizes winners will be announced in mid-August!
How to Participate - Returning Readers
#1 - Log Your Progress
- Make sure you not only sign in to Beanstack, but also log your reading! This extra action automatically enrolls you in our program. To start off, you can log the total number of pages you read, or minutes read. You do not have to read an entire book to join in.
- Check the email settings under your account! When you earn a prize in Beanstack we also send out a reminder email about what to do next, but you won't see them if this setting is disabled.
#2 - Earn Digital Badges
- We have a 3-tiered program on the Beanstack website or app for kids (0-12), teens (13-17) and adults (18+). Adults, you do not have to read hundreds of books to earn a badge like the kiddos do for Tier 3.
- Each audience has a set goal of books to read to complete each tier. This year teens have the extra option of attending library events to complete their tiers and earn Beanstack badges.
- If our readers log in 20,000 books (or more!) we will donate $2500 to The Foundation for a College Education.
#3 - Prize Pickup
- After completing Tier 1, you have earned your completion prize! Keeping reading and logging in books to complete all three tiers and earn extra raffle tickets to be entered into a grand prize drawing.
- Prizes can be picked up at Children’s, Mitchell Park and Rinconada Libraries from July 1 to August 31. This is earlier than usual! Three grand prizes winners will be announced in mid-August!
Sponsors
We’re especially grateful to our Friends of the Palo Alto Library for providing the funding for our program and donation to The Foundation for a College Education, and all other sponsors and partners whose gifts enhance our participants’ experiences.
Sharing our stories and experiences helps our community thrive!
