Summer Reading for all ages

Read with Lake Forest Library

Why We Read

We are happy you have decided to read with your family, friends, neighbors, and us! Lake Forest Library Reading Programs are designed to encourage shared reading experiences, thoughtful discussions, and meaningful community connections. For students, reading outside of school also helps enhance their academic abilities and maintain skills over school breaks.

In addition to reading, our reading programs often invite you to attend Library programs, complete fun activities, or tackle other challenges to enhance your reading journey. Not to mention prizes!

On this page you'll find details about a specific reading program. All programs can be completed using paper logs -OR- online using the Beanstack app. If you have any questions about the program or using Beanstack, please call us at 847-234-0636 or send us a message.

Using the Beanstack App

Niche Academy has tutorials to help you learn to use Beanstack in your web browser and on Android and Apple devices: Beanstack tutorials

Absolutely! The Library continues to provide paper logs for all reading programs. They are available to download and print below, or you can pick them up at the Children's Circulation Desk or Adult Reference Desk.

  1. Download the free Beanstack app from your device's app store.
  2. Open the app and select "At my library, school, or bookstore."
  3. Select "Find a site."
  4. Search for "Lake Forest Library" and select it from the search results.
  5. Create your Beanstack app account using your email address and making up a password.
  6. *Tip* You can add multiple readers to the same account (such as your partner or children), and every reader can join different challenges.
  7. Select "Challenges" and join the current challenge.

If you prefer, you can create a Beanstack account and access open challenges in your browser by visiting the Library's Beanstack page at lakeforestlibrary.org/beanstack.

If you don’t remember if you have an account, contact us by calling 847.234.0636 or emailing reference@lakeforestlibrary.org.

  1. Open the Beanstack app or visit lakeforestlibrary.org/beanstack in your browser.
  2. Select "Sign In" and enter your email address and password.
  3. Select "Challenges" and enroll in the current reading program.
  4. Begin reading, completing activities, and logging your progress!

If you forgot what email address you used when creating your Beanstack account, contact us by calling 847.234.0636 or emailing reference@lakeforestlibrary.org.

  1. Open the Beanstack app or visit lakeforestlibrary.org/beanstack in your browser.
  2. Sign in.
  3. If you have multiple readers on the same account (such as you and your children), you can switch between readers by tapping or selecting your name, initials, or profile image.
  4. In the app, tap the big plus sign ➕. If you're using the browser, select "Log reading and activities."
  5. Follow the prompts to enter your achievements.

You can always ask your Lake Forest Librarians for help. Call us at 847.234.0636 or emailing send us a message.

In the app:

  1. Tap the gear icon ⚙
  2. Tap help

In your browser: Info coming soon.

 

Summer Reading

This recurring program will return! Stay tuned for details.

(Past program) Summer Reading: Buckets of Fun 2023

Thank you for your interest in this past event, survey, or contest. The information may no longer be up-to-date or active.

June 1–July 31, 2023

Summer Reading is a great way to build and reward reading habits, plus it's buckets of fun!

  • All formats count: You can read printed books, read aloud to youngsters, and listen to audiobooks.
  • All ages count: You can participate from birth onward. We love when the whole family gets involved.

We hope you enjoy this year's beachy theme as much as we do! eBooks and eAudiobooks from Libby, cloudLibrary, and Hoopla are the perfect addition to a day at Forest Park Beach. If you read printed library books, please avoid using sand as a bookmark. 😉

Join us and fill your Summer Reading bucket with plenty of fun, good books, and fabulous prizes!

 

How to Play & Earn Prizes

Juniors through Grade 1

To fill your Summer Reading bucket:

  • Read or listen to 30 books.
  • For every 10 books, earn 1 book prize (limit 3).
  • For every 1 book, earn 1 raffle ticket (limit 30).
  • 🎉 You've completed Summer Reading!
  • 🎟 For every challenge completed, earn 1 extra raffle ticket (limit 10).
  • 🏆 Enter your raffle tickets for a chance to win the Grand Prize of your choice. A variety of prizes will be on display in the glass case in the Children's Foyer.

Youth Grades 2–6

To fill your Summer Reading bucket:

  • Read or listen to 15 books.
  • For every 5 books, earn 1 book prize (limit 3).
  • For every 1 book, earn 1 raffle ticket (limit 15).
  • 🎉 You've completed Summer Reading!
  • 🎟 For every challenge completed, earn 1 extra raffle ticket (limit 10).
  • 🏆 Enter your raffle tickets for a chance to win a Lake Forest Book Store Book of the Month Club subscription or a Nintendo Switch.

Teens Grades 7–12

To fill your Summer Reading bucket:

  • Read or listen to 6 books.
  • For every 2 books, earn 1 book prize (limit 3).
  • For every 1 book, earn 1 raffle ticket (limit 6).
  • 🎉 You've completed Summer Reading!
  • 🎟 For every additional book read, earn 1 extra raffle ticket (limit 10).
  • 🏆 Enter your raffle tickets for a chance to win a Lake Forest Book Store Book of the Month Club subscription or a Nintendo Switch.

Adults

To fill your Summer Reading bucket:

  • Read or listen to 4 books.
  • For every 4 books, earn 1 book prize (limit 1).
  • For every 1 book, earn 1 raffle ticket (limit 4).
  • 🎉 You've completed Summer Reading!
  • 🎟 For every additional book read or Library program attended, earn 1 extra raffle ticket (limit 3).
  • 🏆 Weekly Drawings: Beginning June 12, enter your raffle tickets in the week(s) of your choice for a chance to win a $35 gift card to a local business.
  • 🏆 Grand Prize: If you complete the program by reading 4 books, all of your raffle tickets from the weekly drawings are automatically re-entered for a chance to win a Lake Forest Book Store Book of the Month Club subscription.

 

Log Your Progress

Log with Beanstack

The Beanstack app is fun and easy to use! Simply download it from your device's app store and follow the prompts to get started. You can also use a computer browser to create a Beanstack account and access Summer Reading.

Log on Paper

Stop by the Library to get your paper log sheets or download them below.