Get rewarded for reading this summer!
- For every 10 days that you read for 20 minutes or more, you will earn a ticket to enter into the prize drawing of your choice*.
- Log 10 days of reading to get some cool shades!
- Log 30 days to earn a prize book!
- Keep reading all summer to collect up to 7 total prize drawing tickets.
*Please note there will be two drawings for prizes.
The last day to enter for the first round of prizes is July 12 and for the second round is August 22.
Summer Reading Club prizes are made possible by a generous gift from the Friends of the Library.
Around Town with Benny – June 17 to August 12
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Summer Reading Program?
Our Summer Reading program encourages kids to read throughout the summer to combat the “summer slide” of reading skills while they’re off from school.
Reading at least 20 minutes counts as one day of reading. For every 10 days of reading, kids earn a raffle ticket for prize drawings. Read 30 days and earn a prize book! Love to read? Continue reading for up to 70 days for more raffle tickets.
Who can participate in the Kids Summer Reading program?
Any child from infants to rising sixth graders can participate. Rising sixth graders may also register for the Teen Summer Reading program.
You do not need to have a Park Ridge Public Library card to participate.
Do I have to live in Park Ridge and have a Park Ridge Library card to participate?
No! Anyone can participate, no matter where you live.
What counts toward the reading requirement?
Any type of reading is accepted – audiobooks, books read aloud by parents/caregivers, print books, ebooks, eaudiobooks: any format is ok!
What are the dates of the Summer Reading program?
Summer Reading starts on June 5 and ends on August 22.
Mark these milestones on your calendar.
- June 5: Summer Reading begins
- June 14: Day 10 – first day to earn a pair of sunglasses!
- June 24: Day 20
- July 4: Day 30 – first day to earn a prize book!
- July 12: Last day to enter Drawing #1
- July 13: Winners for Drawing #1 contacted by phone
- July 14: Day 40
- July 24: Day 50
- August 3: Day 60
- August 13: Day 70
- August 22: Last Day of Summer Reading and Last Day to Enter Drawing #2
- August 23: Winners for Drawing #2 contacted by phone
Note: the dates listed are only the first available day for that milestone; you can check in any time the library is open.
We will be out of town for most of the summer. Can we still participate?
Yes! You can log reading online in Beanstack wherever you may be. Come into the Children’s Department by August 22 to pick up raffle tickets to enter a prize drawing. You must visit the library to claim your raffle tickets, even if you are logging online.
What if we’re not returning to town until after August 22?
Log your reading in Beanstack by August 22 and pick up a prize book when you return. Prize books will be available until August 31. Unfortunately, raffle tickets for the prize drawing aren’t available after August 22.
How do I register for Summer Reading?
You can register at the Children’s Services Desk or online in Beanstack. Track your reading progress with a paper log available at the Children’s Services desk or online in Beanstack. If you register online but you would like a paper log, pick one up at the Children’s Services desk.
If registering online in Beanstack, select the Summer Reading 2026 | Kids challenge and register each child in your account as a reader.
What if I don’t remember whether I have a Beanstack account or what my Beanstack user name or password is?
If you have participated in any of our reading programs over the past few years, you will have a Beanstack account. If a library staff member created the Beanstack account for you, your username will be in the format of the first initial of your first name and your last name, e.g., jsmith.
If you don’t remember your username or your password, click on the links on the Beanstack login page to reset them.
How do I log my reading?
Track your days of reading on a paper log available at the Children’s Services desk or in Beanstack. Regardless if you use the paper log or Beanstack, check in at the Children’s Services desk to collect your available rewards.
Can I get another log if I lost mine?
Yes. If you lose your log, you can stop by the Children’s Services desk for another log. You can also download a copy here.
What are the Summer Reading prizes?
Everyone who checks in after logging 30 days of reading will receive a prize book. A menu of books will be available at the Children’s Services desk. Prize books include board books, early reader-level books, older fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. Prize books are available through the end of August.
In addition, for every 10 days of reading, kids receive a raffle ticket to enter drawings for a variety of prizes, from toys and activities to the grand prize of an iPad. There are two rounds of prize drawings. Raffle tickets are available at check-ins through August 22.
First Round Prize Drawing: The last day to enter is Sunday, July 12. Winners will be announced on Monday, July 13.
Second Round and Grand Prize Drawing: The last day to enter is Saturday, August 22. Winners will be announced on Sunday, August 23.
Winners will be contacted by phone and a list of winners will be posted in the Children’s Services Department.
Other Summer Reading Programs
To learn more about the summer reading programs for adults or teens, click on one of the buttons below.
Adult Summer Reading Teen Summer Reading