The Anne West Lindsey District Library is pleased to offer Summer Reading Challenges
for all ages!
To join the challenge and log your activity, pick up a book tracker from the Summer Reading table in the Children’s Room. For the children’s reading challenge, patrons are encouraged to also track on Beanstack by visiting https://awlindsey.beanstack.com/reader365 or downloading 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 2nd, 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 2nd. The last day to log books is July 19th.
- 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 2025: Level Up at Your Library
Children’s Programming
Volunteering
Anyone 11 and up can volunteer at the library this summer! Volunteers will run our registration/prize tables and help the librarians with other tasks as needed.
Summer Reading Kick Off
We’ll be kicking off our Summer Reading program with an all ages game night! Patrons can play games, paint mini figures, enjoy refreshments, register for summer reading, and enter a prize drawing.
Storytime
Storytimes every Tuesday at 10 AM and 2 PM! Best suited for ages 0-5, but all children are welcome. Join us for stories, movement activities, games, crafts, and a snack!
Shows & Performances
We’ll have performances/shows every week in June! All of these events will take place at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Carterville (116 W Grand Ave.), not at the library.
Tween Book Club
Children ages 10-13 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 4: Adventure/Fantasy (book list)
- June 11: Puzzles & Mysteries (book list)
- June 18: Summer (book list)
- June 25: Games/Gaming (book list)
- July 2: Cozy (book list)
- July 9: Technology (book list)
Tabletop Gaming Club
Children ages 10-13 have the opportunity to try out three different tabletop games this summer! Tabletop games can help kids develop and strengthen a variety of skills: teamwork, math, social/emotional learning, listening & communication, socializing, creativity, storytelling, active listening, problem solving, and so much more! All sessions this summer will be beginner-friendly one-shots, and all materials will be provided . Seats will be limited, so sign up ASAP! Below is a brief description of each tabletop game:
Honey Heist: It’s Honeycon 2017. You are going to undertake the greatest heist the world has ever seen. Two Things –
One: You have a complex plan that requires precise timing.
Two: You are a BEAR.
Magical Kitties Save the Day: An all-ages roleplaying game of cute, fierce, cunning kitties. Use your magical powers to solve problems and save humans from terrible troubles!
Dungeons & Dragons: The core of D&D is about storytelling. The group of players essentially tell a collective story, guiding heroes through dangerous quests to search for treasure, battle deadly foes, and even carry out daring rescues. The adventure itself is only limited by the imagination of the players around the table.
Knowledge Quest Pop-Ups
We’ll have two opportunities for people to check out Knowledge Quest this summer, and participants can try out five different activities: perler beads, legos, painting Pokemon cards, maze creation, and making an I Spy jar.
Sensory Play
Join us for two hours of sensory-focused play on June 7th!
Fishing Workshop
Come learn about fishing with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources! Registration required to attend the follow up fishing tutorial on June 12, 2025. Location of follow-up tutorial to be determined. This event is open to all ages.
Games IRL
Come experience of variety of activities based on some of your favorite video games! This event is perfect for fans of Minecraft, Mario, Pokémon, and more!
Puzzle Race
Teams of 1-5 people will compete to see who can finish a 500-piece puzzle first within an hour and a half! The winning team will receive gift cards to local businesses.
Movie Day
Come watch some movies and eat pizza!
Prizes
Once you fill out your reading log, return it to the library and pick out two books and two prizes. There is no limit, you can fill out as many reading logs as you want! Participants can also earn entries into our grand prize drawings for every log they return.
Participants can also earn an extra prize for completing a badge book, which has 10 activity-based challenges.
Grand Prizes:
1. Magnetic Block Set
2. Bowling Set & Dartboard
3. Adjustable Easel with Chalkboard, Whiteboard, and Paper Roll
