by Tom Samuel –
The Middlesex County Public Library (MCPL) system is now offering Beanstack. Beanstack is an innovative web platform/mobile “app”-based program designed to engage people of all ages in reading by making it fun and easy for them to record and track their own independent reading. Beanstack participants can create individual or family accounts using an email address and accept some or all of a series of different reading challenges based on age group throughout the year. Parents can choose to manage accounts for their children or become active participants themselves.
Participation in a Beanstack reading challenge means logging the number of books read or minutes spent reading, depending on age group, for each day during the challenge period and earning a series of virtual incentive badges, as incremental goals are met on the way to completing the challenge. Some challenges may involve reading on certain subjects or themes; other challenges can be met simply by reading whatever you choose. Participants can use a Beanstack timer through the web platform or the mobile app to automatically log their reading sessions, access a database of titles and authors to accurately record the books read, and even choose to “compete” directly with friends and family.
MCPL will be offering two reading challenges for its Beanstack launch. During the program’s roll-out this month, there will be a themed reading challenge marking Black History Month, which will run through February. The other reading challenge, Reading 2022, will be a general challenge that will run all the way through to the end of the year. Both challenges will be available in adult and juvenile versions. Library reps look forward to offering a series of other themed and general challenges in the future.
Get ready for Beanstack in February! Check the MCPL website for information and a link to the MCPL Beanstack web platform or ask a MCPL staff person. Let Beanstack help make your 2022 reading goal a reality.
(Tom Samuel is the manager of the Middlesex County Public Library system’s Deltaville branch.)
