Community members of all ages are invited to participate in the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ 14th annual Winter Reading Program starting Saturday, Dec. 20.
The program, open to children, teens and adults, runs for six weeks through Jan. 31.
The 2025-26 theme is Read with Benny, the mascot for the library’s online logging system Beanstack, who encourages patrons to “get cozy and enjoy reading this winter.”
“The library’s collection of print and digital titles has something for every reader to explore, plus, weekly prize drawings and fun activity sheets will keep the winter magic alive all program long,” organizers said.
How it works:
• This program will be held through the online reading tracker Beanstack. Participants will log every book they read during the program, which automatically enters them into weekly prize drawings.
To sign up, visit goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.com, create an online account and select the Winter Reading Challenge. Beanstack is available both as a website and a free app.
• Paper entry forms are also available at each location for patrons who prefer to record their reading screen-free. These completed forms will be entered into the same weekly drawings.
• Prize drawings will be held by age category for readers ages 0-5, 6-12, 13-17, and 18+. Drawings will be branch-specific for each of our library locations: Goleta Valley Library and the Bookvan, Solvang Library, and Buellton Library.
Participants can read in whatever format they prefer, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks and audiobooks. There are also suggested reading lists on the Beanstack app, or pick up a copy at the library.
In addition to prize entries, participants can pick up a BINGO card with self-paced literary activities, such as Read to an Animal or Listen to an Audiobook, to challenge themselves to reach new reading heights during the program.
Visit GoletaValleyLibrary.org for up-to-date information about library services, programs and events.
The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries thanks the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Friends of the Buellton Library, and Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley, sponsors of the 2025-26 Winter Reading Program.