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Reading Programs

Reading Programs header showing a mom and daughter reading

Reading Fun for All Ages

No matter your age, we’ve got a reading program for you! Find out more about our year-round and seasonal reading programs below.

Anyone with a Helen Plum Library card or who is a student in a Lombard school is eligible to sign up.

Current Reading Programs

Wed, May 1 – Sat, Aug 3

We’ll get straight to the pint– we love Summer Reading! Books and sunshine are simply mint to be. And getting rewarded for reading? That’s just the cherry on top.

Sign up and log your reading online using Beanstack starting Wed, May 1.

If you'd rather log on paper, you can stop by the Library to pick up a reading log or print at home (below).

Birth-Grade 12:

Read all summer long to earn a paperback book and other prizes!

Adult Timed or Title Challenge:

Earn an entry ticket for every 5 hours of reading or 5 titles read and submit tickets toward a variety of prizes.

Ongoing Reading Programs

Reading program for children birth–preschool 

Share 1000 books with your child before kindergarten. Keep track of each title read in the book log or track online with Beanstack! For every 100 stories read, your child will earn a reading reward. For more information, stop by Youth Services. 

Grow a Reader will replace 1000 Books Before Kindergarten starting Thu, Aug 1.

If you are currently enrolled in 1000 Books and would like to pick up a kit to finish the program on your own or have questions about either of these programs, please email Youth Services before Mon, Jul 1: youthservices@helenplum.org

Starting Thu, Aug 1 – Stay Tuned!

Seedlings: ages birth-2 years

Bookworms: ages 3-5

Register at the Youth Services Desk or on Beanstack starting Thu, Aug 1

The best way to grow a reader is more than just reading! We’ve designed these two challenges to support your family by tracking the number of books you read, completing fun activities, and celebrating along the way!

Check back Thu, Aug 1 for details.

Track Your Reading Online

We are excited to offer Beanstack, a reading log app. Track your reading program progress online and earn virtual badges to redeem for prizes. Get started by grabbing your library card and clicking the Beanstack button below.

Perks of Using Beanstack

  • Never worry about losing a paper log!
  • Parents can create a family account, where each reader participates in the program for their age group.
  • Access your account on the go using the Beanstack Tracker app.

Getting Started

Download on Appstore

Download on Google Play

Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Sign on your Beanstack account with your username and password. This will be the same account you used for any previous reading programs. To reset your password, click here.

Still having trouble signing in? Email us!
Families, Children and Teens: youthservices@helenplum.org
Adults: askalibrarian@helenplum.org

All of the programs a reader is eligible for will appear on your welcome screen. Click “Register for this Challenge” and start reading! Be sure to do this for all the readers on your account.

• On the Beanstack website: Readers in your account will appear in a drop-down box on the upper left-hand corner of your screen.
• On the Beanstack Tracker app: Select the icon in the upper right-hand corner. From there, select Readers.