The Anne West Lindsey District Library is pleased to offer Summer Reading Challenges
for all ages!
To join the challenge and log your activity, visit https://awlindsey.beanstack.com/reader365 or download the Beanstack app.
For a quick guide on how to use Beanstack, click here. For a more detailed guide on how to use Beanstack, including step-by-step instructions, click here, or call the library at 618-985-3298 for more help.
Quick Information
- Registration begins on May 26th.
- Summer Reading officially begins on June 1st, which is also the first day prizes can begin being picked up. You may register early, but please note prize pick up does not start until June 1st. The last day to log books is July 18th.
- Challenges are available for Children, Teens, and Adults. Those aged 13 may choose to participate in both Children and Teen reading programs, and those aged 18 may participate in both Teen and Adult reading programs. The children’s challenge is for ages 0-13.
AWL Summer Reading 2026: Plant a Seed, Read
Teen Programming
Summer Reading Kick Off
We’ll be kicking off our Summer Reading program with an all ages party! Patrons can sign up for summer reading, play games, create things with air dry clay, make buttons, enjoy refreshments, grab a free book, enter a prize drawing, and more!
Teen Book Club
Teens ages 13-18 are invited to join us for a weekly summer book club! Each week will have a new theme and a new list of books to choose from. Participants can read as few or as many as the books as they want (even if they aren’t able to finish a book every single week). Each week will have both chapter book and graphic novel options.
- June 10: Food (book list coming soon)
- June 17: Classics (book list coming soon)
- June 24: Summer Scares (book list coming soon)
- July 1: Tough Topics (book list coming soon)
- July 8: Nature (book list coming soon)
ESL Group
Open to all ages. Every Thursday from June 4th-July 16th, 10:30 AM-12 PM. Practice your English skills with other learners and a facilitator! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
More information coming soon!
Youth Arts & Crafts
Anyone ages 18 and under is welcome to join us for a variety of arts and crafts sessions!
June 4th: Painting
June 18th: Fairy Gardens
June 25th: Slime
July 9th: No Sew Tote Bags
July 16th: Legos
All sessions will take place from 1-3 PM.
Food Fun
Join us on June 13th for some food fun as we make and taste test food! These sessions are open to all youth 18 and under, and anyone 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are also welcome to accompany youth over 8 years old as well.
The beginner session is 10:30 AM-12 PM and is recommended for ages 10 and under. We will make fruit and yogurt parfaits and mini pizzas, as well as taste test a variety of cookies.
The advanced session is 1:30-3 PM and is recommended for ages 10-18. We will make no-bake energy balls and cake pops, as well as taste test a variety of Pringles.
Things may get a little messy, so dress accordingly!
Super Smash Bros. Tournament
We’re hosting a Super Smash Bros. Tournament for all ages on June 15th, 5-6:45 PM! All experience levels are welcome, and first and second place will receive prizes!
Rules coming soon
Movie Days
We will have an all ages movie night on June 29th, 5-6:30 PM! We will be watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (rated PG) and attendees will be able to help themselves to a popcorn bar!
On July 13th, from 5-6:45 PM, anyone ages 12-18 can join us for a movie night! Attendees will vote for the movie we’ll be watching (rated PG-13) and can help themselves to a craft bar full of creative activities!
Books & Bites
We’ll have a spread of yummy treats available, and attendees can also grab a free book! The event will also feature a book “tasting” where attendees can explore and try out a variety of books, reflect on their findings, and possibly find something new to read!
Reading Challenge & Prizes
Sign up for the reading challenge on Beanstack (awlindsey.beanstack.com). For every 2 hours of reading time logged on Beanstack, participants can pick up a prize at the Summer Reading table in the Children’s Room. Tickets for the grand prize drawings can be earned after entering reading time on Beanstack. Choose which drawings to enter your tickets into by going to the Ticket Drawings section on the Beanstack challenge.
Badge books are optional and contain ten activities related to the Summer Reading theme. Once teens complete all ten activities, they can return the badge book for extra prizes and entries into the grand prize drawings. Badge books can be picked up at the Summer Reading table in the Children’s Room.
All reading hours must be logged and badge books turned in by July 18th.
Grand prizes this year include:
- $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
- Bonsai Tree Lego Set
- $50 Nintendo eShop Gift Card
Important Information:
- All methods and forms of reading count: reading on your own, being read to, ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, comics, graphic novels, road signs, video games with written dialogue, anything and everything!
- Grand prize winners will be chosen and contacted on Monday, July 20th.
- Contact the Youth Services Librarian, Nicole Young, with any questions. She can be reached at by email at nyoung@awlindsey.com or by calling (618) 985-3298 and choosing option 3.