Community Corner
Algonquin Area Public Library: Get Rewarded For Reading This Season. Winter Reading 2022 Is Here.
The Algonquin Area Public Library District kicks off Winter Reading with amazing incentives to bring thrills and joy into reading again. ...
December 7, 2021
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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.
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Log Your Progress On Beanstack
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. Explore your Winter Reading Beanstack account for full details.
THE RACE IS ON....
This year we are pitting youth and adults against each other in a friendly ol' reading competition. Who can read the most!?!?! We encourage bragging after winning, of course. Do your best and make the most of it!
Updates on the race will be emailed to you directly 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!
The Winter Reading drawing prizes will be drawn on February 7.
Do you want to participate, but just don't know what to read anymore? We can help with that!
Recommend Me A Book
FAQs
I forgot my password on Beanstack. What should I do?
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.
I forget my username for Beanstack. What should I do?
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.
What counts as a "book" this year?
Reading can take many forms. Novels, graphic novels, manga, ebooks, and audiobooks all count towards Winter Reading.
What is Beanstack?
Beanstack is our online reading program software. When you create a Beanstack account for yourself or your family, you’re instantly connected to all our Algonquin Library reading programs, so you’ll get credit for every minute and every page.
We’ll keep all your stats for you, cheer you on while you work towards your program goals, and let you know when you’ve earned prizes. When a reading challenge ends, you keep your account, and your reading history—it’s always free, and you can keep right on logging your leisure reading. When the next library reading program comes around, no need to re-register—just click, and you’re in.
May I add more than one reader to my account?
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.
AAPLD is not my home library. Do I need an AAPLD library card to sign up for Winter Reading?
No. Your library card can be from any library to participate.
Do I need a library card to particpate?
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.
How do I log my reading or activities?
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.
I don’t have computer access/don’t want to log my books online. How do I participate?
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.
How do I update my password in Beanstack?
Tap that little “gear” button in the top right and hit “Edit Account."
Can I read from my personal collection at home?
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.
Do eBooks, audio books, Magazines, Newspapers, and Playaways all count toward the Winter Reading Program?
Yes. All those items count toward completing your reading goals. Exposing yourself to new words and reading content in all its forms helps you to become a life-long learner.
This press release was produced by the Algonquin Area Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
