Winter Reading 2021
Our Winter Reading Challenge registration begins on Monday, January 11 on Beanstack.
This challenge begins on January 11, 2021 and ends on February 8, 2021.
From January 11 through February 8 we encourage you to relax and get cozy by spending some time reading every day!
Every day that you read during Winter Reading counts - read for 20 or more days to complete the challenge and earn a prize! The prize will be available for pickup while supplies last or through Monday, February 22, whichever comes first.
In an effort to help support local businesses, the Normal Public Library Foundation has purchased various gift cards for a prize drawing at the end of the Winter Reading Challenge. You are automatically entered into this drawing if you read for 20 or more days!
This challenge also features some fun activities that you can complete to earn virtual badges. There are no prizes connected to the badges.
We encourage you to keep track of your reading on Beanstack, but we also have a paper reading log you can use.
Winter reading is for everyone! All ages are welcome to participate!
Track Your Reading with Beanstack
Beanstack is our website and app for reading tracking and reading programs and challenges.
You can create an account in Beanstack anytime and use it to keep track of your reading. When a reading challenge becomes available for you, keep tracking your reading and it will count for your challenge!
Use Beanstack on any computer or find the Beanstack Tracker app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. If you have already created an account on Beanstack online you can use that. New readers will need to register.
If your child is already signed up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten then you have a Beanstack login!
Your email address
Password: beanstack
Once you login, you may change it to something more personal.
Members of a family can all be on the same account, just change readers using the top-left menu (on both the website and app).
Use Beanstack anytime! Keep track of your reading year-round and join our challenges when they are available.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an education initiative with three main goals: to promote early childhood literacy, to prepare young children for kindergarten and to facilitate family bonding through reading.
Parents and caregivers may register any child between the ages of 0–6. Any book may be counted and books may be repeated. Repetition is even encouraged as it increases both comprehension and confidence in young children. Keep track on your paper log or in Beanstack. Prizes can be selected by filling out this form. Library staff will contact parents when prizes are ready for pick up using the library's Curb It service.
All children who have not entered kindergarten or the equivalent are eligible to register. Participants are not required to be Normal Public Library cardholders or residents of Normal. Participants are welcome to register for this program even if they are completing other area 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten programs.
Summer Reading
Summer Reading 2020 has concluded!
Prize winners have been notified. Thank you to all who participated!
Check back in Spring 2021 to see what we're planning for Summer 2021.