The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries six-week Winter Reading Challenge for children, teens and adults is underway. Since the Winter Reading Challenge opened on Jan. 1, more than 470 participants have registered and read a total of 2,547 books.
More than a dozen local organizations and businesses have donated prizes to be awarded to readers through weekly drawings.
The challenge runs through Saturday, Feb. 13, and is being held completely online through Beanstack, a website and app that makes keeping track of reading quick and easy.
Readers who used Beanstack for the 2020 Summer Reading Program can simply log in to their existing Beanstack account and sign up for the new challenge. New users can start by creating a free account in just a few minutes. Visit goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.org, or download the free app for Apple and Android devices to log books on the go.
Every Tuesday during the Winter Reading Challenge, the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are holding drawings for prizes. Winners can receive prizes such as themed gift baskets, gift cards to local restaurants, stickers, games, art kits, books, and movies, thanks to the support of local partners, including:
Blenders in the Grass, Chili’s, the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley, Home Depot, Isla Vista Food Co-Operative, Islands Burgers, Madi’s Treasure Box, Mesa Burger, Miner’s Ace Hardware, The Pet House, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, and Woodstock’s Pizza.
Readers are eligible for prize drawings each week that they log at least one book in their Beanstack account. Books of all kinds are welcome, including print books, eBooks, graphic novels, and audiobooks, and they can also be borrowed from the eLibrary or throughSidewalk Service.
The program theme — Books Like Us — invites readers to celebrate diversity and the power of seeing their stories reflected in books by exploring titles from authors with diverse backgrounds.
“It is very exciting to see community members of all ages reading so many books through the Winter Reading Challenge,” said Elizabeth Saucedo, Goleta Valley Library children’s librarian. “This has been such a fun way to start off the new year together, especially with the amazing prize incentives from our wonderful local sponsors.”
Visit goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.org to sign up for the Winter Reading Challenge. For more information on programs and events at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, view the online calendar at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.