The Christian
County Library Summer Reading Challenge runs May 14-July 31 this year, with registration opening May 5 at http://christiancountylibrary.beanstack.org. The Summer Reading Challenge gives parents an easy way to make reading a fun summer activity and help children and teens maintain or even improve their reading level during the break from school. There’s even a program for adults, because kids aren’t the only ones who enjoy a challenge.
The library is once again using Beanstack to host our Summer Reading Challenge, so families can register and participate in the program online through our summer reading program website at http://christiancountylibrary.beanstack.org. All reading can be reported right through this website. Readers earn online badges as they make progress, and are notified when they’ve completed their challenge and it’s time to collect their prize at the library. Beanstack also helps match readers with books they’ll like that are available through the Christian County Library, so it’s simple for readers to find their next book. Paper forms will be available in the library for those who prefer not to participate online.
The theme this year is “Libraries Rock,” and we’ve got a new, simpler format that will make it easy for kids, teens, and adults to participate. The challenge, no matter your age, is to earn 500 points by choosing a combination of reading, completing learning activities, and attending library events.
You’ll earn one point for each minute you read (or for pre-readers, a point for each minute someone reads to them.)
To earn even more points, try out a variety of fun activities that will connect you with library and community resources, or create fun ways for families to interact and learn together. You’ll find the activities listed on Beanstack once you’ve registered or logged in, or on the back of your paper game board if you choose not to use the online program. Each activity completed will be worth 5, 10, or 20 points depending on difficulty.
Summer at the library also means a large variety classes, performances, and programs every week for children, teens, and adults, not just in the library, but across the county. If you or your family enjoy attending library events, you can earn extra points towards your goal for each event you attend, up to five events per person. (You’ll receive a code at each library event you attend that you can then input on Beanstack, or write down if you’re using a paper game board.) Check out our events calendar to see all programs, or browse our summer newsletter for more details. Events will take place in locations across the county, including the new Nixa Branch, at the O.C. in Ozark (while the Ozark branch undergoes renovations), and at the Clever Branch Library.
So what happens when you earn 500 points? Head to any Christian County library branch (Clever or Nixa, this summer) or any children’s event in Ozark (like programs at the O.C. and storytimes at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center) and collect their prizes. Babies, kids, and teens get a new book of their choice to keep and a coupon book with free and almost-free offers from local businesses. Adults earn a free library book bag. All participants also earn an entry into the prize basket drawing of their choice. (There are four themed prize baskets for each group, a Tech Basket, a Book Basket, a Food & Movie Basket, and a Music Basket, plus a each basket for babies and toddlers.. Check out the actual baskets at the Nixa Branch) If you keep reading after 500 points, every additional 500 points you get earns you an additional entry into a prize basket.
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us.