May. 23, 2023

Summer Reading Program 2023: All Together Now

For all ages!

May 22 – July 14

Registration Starts May 23

Read & Win The Challenge How to Register Track Reading What to Read Prizes Events Performers Why Participate Questions Beanstack Search for Books

Read and Win Prizes

The library challenges kids, teens, and adults to read this summer for a chance to earn grand prizes like $100, $50 & $25 gift cards, and more! We have a challenge for each age group that runs from May 22 – July 14.

The Challenge

To be eligible to enter the grand prize drawing, participants must complete the challenge by reading and logging the required amount of time and activities for their age group. (Grade levels listed below are for the upcoming school year.)

  • Kids (birth – 5th grade): Read or be read to 12 hours. No book reviews are required for kids. For kids not yet reading, being read to counts.
  • Teens (6th – 12th grade): Read 16 hours and write one book reviewReading out loud to younger children counts!
  • Adults (18 and older): Read 20 hours and write two book reviews. Reading out loud to younger children counts!

How to Register

Registration starts May 22. This year we have three options for registering and participating.

  • Option 1: Register online through Beanstack.
    • If you already have a Beanstack account, there’s no need to create a new one. Simply log into your existing account to access the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge for the appropriate age group.
    • If you don’t have a Beanstack account, do the following:
      1. Go to https://ngrl.beanstack.org
      2. Click on “Register an individual or family” ***Please, one account per household. You can add multiple readers of all ages under a single account.***
      3. Fill in the requested information and submit.
      4. Select challenges for each reader.
  • Option 2: Go mobile. Download the free Beanstack Tracker app from the App Store or Google Play and search the “Northwest Georgia Regional Library System” as your site. Tap “Discover” to locate and join the appropriate Challenge.
  • Option 3: Visit your local branch to register in person and get a paper log.
    • Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library: 310 Cappes Street, Dalton, GA 30720
    • Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library: 100 N. Park Avenue, Calhoun, GA 30701
    • Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library: 706 Old Dalton Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705

Track Your Reading

Start tracking your reading on May 22 and finish by July 14. You have three options to log your reading and create your reviews.

  • Option 1: Log your reading online using a browser. Logging in Beanstack will award you with virtual badges; for each hour read, one gray badge will change to full color and appear in the “Earned Badges” tab. All badges must be earned by July 14 for the reader to be entered in prize drawings.
    • Log in to https://ngrl.beanstack.org and choose the appropriate reader in the top right and the right challenge for that reader.
    • Log time
      1. Log minutes by clicking “Log Reading” in the top, left hand corner.
      2. Select the day, and add the book title and author if desired before adding the time spent reading for the day. You can add a review while logging minutes by selecting “Include a Review.
    • Add reviews
      1. Choose “Add a Review” and then “Write a review” or “Post a Picture Review.”
      2. Select the correct reader profile and fill out the information required. Reviews require a minimum of 200 characters.
  • Option 2: Log your reading via the Beanstack Tracker App. Logging in Beanstack will award you with virtual badges; for each hour read, one gray badge will change to full color and appear in the “Earned Badges” tab. All badges must be earned by July 14 for the reader to be entered in prize drawings.
    • Log in to the Beanstack Tracker App and choose the appropriate reader in the top right corner before selecting the appropriate challenge.
    • Log time
      1. Tap “Log” to select a title to add time to if you’ve previously added a title, otherwise tap the “+” and select “Reading.
      2. Select the reader(s) you want to log time for. Note: You can select multiple readers; this is particularly helpful if reading to multiple children.
      3. Choose “Log Without a Title,” search for a title, or scan the UPC/ISBN barcode of an item to add it for logging purposes. If you log using a specific title, you’ll choose “Log Reading” or you can choose “Start Timer” to time your reading in order to log it. Do not use “Quick Complete” when logging for the Challenge; it does not provide you with a time-based option.
    • Add reviews
      1. Tap “Log” to select a title to add a review to if you’ve previously added a title, otherwise tap the “+” and select “Review.”
      2. Select the reader that is writing the review.
      3. Select an existing title, search for a title, or scan the UPC/ISBN barcode of an item to add it for logging purposes.
      4. Tap “Write Review” and then add a review that is at least 200 characters long.
  • Option 3: Log your reading on paper. If you signed up at the library and asked for a paper log, you can track your reading without devices or Internet connections required. Paper logs must be turned into the library by July 14 by closing time (6pm for all branches.)
    • Request paper logs for the appropriate ages at the beginning of the summer.
    • Log Time
      1. Kids – place a sticker in a box for every 15 minutes spent reading or being read to; there are 48 total boxes to be filled. All boxes must be filled for completion.
      2. Teens & Adults – mark or color in a box for each hour spent reading. All boxes on the front page must be marked for completion.
    • Write Reviews
      1. Teens – fill out the review section on the back of the log.
      2. Adult – fill out both of the review sections on the back of the log.
    • Include the following information on each log: First Name, Last Name, Age (for minors), and Phone Number.
    • Questions about paper logs should be forwarded to your local library
      • Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library: 706-876-1360
      • Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library: 706-624-1456
      • Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library: 706-695-4200

What to Read

Anything you want — books, eBooks, magazines, comics, manga, articles, audiobooks, etc.

Search PINES Catalog Download eBooks Novelist Book Lists

Prizes

Grand prize winners in each age group will be notified by July 29. Certificates and grand prizes can be picked up between July 29 – September 30.

Events

We will offer in-person programs, like fun, themed crafts and activities, and special performers! We will not be offering virtual programs this year. Times and dates can be found on our calendar. Click on the name of one of the main performers below to see a list of their events. You can also download and print out physical copies for each branch, or view them online. Events Calendar

Printable Schedules/Calendars: 

Main Performers

Animals Adventures: Meet exotic animals and learn fascinating facts about their food, habitats, and adaptations.


Ben Roy’s Science Zone: Science showcase of fun, exciting demos for all ages!


Talewise (Science & Stories): Interactive, educational STEAM programs for kids.


Storyteller Jerry G. White: Enjoy awesome storyteller Jerry G. White. He brings stories to life!


Magician Arthur Atsma: Funny fast-paced, comedy magical misadventures with Arthur Atsma.

  • Thursday, July 6 @ 11 a.m. – Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library
  • Thursday, July 6 @ 2 p.m. – GEM Theatre (114 N Wall Street, Calhoun, GA 30701)
  • Saturday, July 8 @ 11 a.m. – Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library

Storyteller Josie Bailey: Josie captures your imagination and transports you to another place and time with her stories.

  • Monday, July 10 @ 11 a.m. – Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library
  • Tuesday, July 11 @ 3 p.m. – Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library
  • Thursday, July 13 @ 2 p.m. – GEM Theatre (114 N Wall Street, Calhoun, GA 30701)

Ending Party with Dave Holland: Enjoy an interactive rhythm performance from Dave Holland and free refreshments while we celebrate the end of summer reading!

Why Participate?

Library summer reading programs are designed to encourage:

  • Spending more time reading over the summer
  • Improving reading and vocabulary skills
  • Increasing enjoyment of reading
  • Increasing motivation to read
  • Increasing confidence in reading
  • Ensuring kids return to school ready to learn and avoid the “Summer Slide”

Have Questions About Summer Reading?

Call 706-876-1360

Author

Betsy P.
Northwest Georgia Regional Library System
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