2025 Summer Reading Program: Color Our World

A: The Live Oak Public Library has some great video tutorials on how to get started in Beanstack:

• Introduction to Beanstack
• Creating an Account (Our Beanstack is found at deforestlibrary.beanstack.org)
• Using Beanstack on a Computer
• Using Beanstack with the Android App
• Using Beanstack with the Apple iOS App

If you need further assistance with Beanstack, feel free to email Jessica at jsvetlik [at] deforestlibrary.org (jsvetlik[at]deforestlibrary[dot]org), or stop at the circulation desk during our open hours. 
 

A: We have a variety of Challenges this summer:

• Community Challenge: 
  Read and log 27,500 books as a community and we’ll throw an end-of-summer party at the Library on August 27.
   
• Elementary School Challenge:
  Eagle Point, Windsor, and Yahara Elementary School kids are able to participate in this challenge. Each school must read 3,000 books. If all three schools read 3,000 books you will be able to participate in our Color Blast party on August 27. We will recognize the top school with a traveling trophy. 
   
• 4th - 12th grade Challenge:
  We have a challenge for kids in 4th-12th grades, including home and virtual school kids! All 4th to 12th grade readers, with every 1,000 books read, a new stretch goal will be unlocked! Stretch goals that earn an entry means that every participating reader in this group will be entered into a drawing for the prize.
  
  Stretch goals for 4th-12th grade are:
  • 1st - 1,000 books to earn an entry for a Pizza Party (draw 2 winners)
  • 2nd - 2,000 books to earn an entry for a Kindle Fire tablet
  • 3rd - 3,000 books to earn an entry for a 3D Printed Articulated Creature (draw 3 or 4 winners)
  • 4th - 4,000 books to help unlock the Color Blast for Summer Reading Celebration on August 27
  • 5th/Final - 5,000 books to earn an After-Hours Event for all participants
    
     

A: Dragon Dollars are our Reading Program currency. As you read books and complete activities you will earn Dragon Dollars that can be spent in our Reading Program Prize Store, or donated to Blessings in a Backpack - DeForest Chapter, Dane County Humane Society, DeForest Area Public Library, Mission Nutrition DeForest, and/or Norski Nibbles.

A: Tickets are virtual entries into prize drawings. They are earned when you participate in our reading program. You earn them by entering books, writing reviews, and completing activities. Tickets can be entered into different drawings (paper participants may enter one drawing per paper form turned in) for a chance to win special prizes that are only available for that reading program. In order to be eligible to win a ticket drawing you must have a valid phone number or email address on your Beanstack account. 

A: Yes! You can easily log events in the Activities section on the mobile friendly website or in the Beanstack app. Events, like activities, will earn you points. Every 2 points earned equals 1 Dragon Dollar. There is a maximum of 100 points that an individual may earn this program.

A: You can earn Dragon Dollars and enter ticket drawings whether you log your reading on paper or in Beanstack. Logging in Beanstack offers additional opportunities to earn tickets and points toward Dragon Dollars. Examples of Beanstack activity badges include attending events and programs, doing crafts and activities, answering trivia questions, and completing special challenges. Note: Every 2 points earned equals 1 Dragon Dollar. There is a maximum of 100 points that an individual may earn this program.

A: Yes! If you are in 4th-12th grade, email your reading to Raechel, our Teen Services Librarian, at raechs [at] deforestlibrary.org. Birth-3rd grade and Adults, email your reading to Jessica, our Digital Librarian, at jsvetlik [at] deforestlibrary.org. Families can email everyone's reading in one email to either Raechel or Jessica.

In every email please include:

• Reader's first and last name
• List of books read
  • Titles and authors
  • If read multiple times you only need to write the title once and indicate the number of times read next to the title.
  • Example: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown - 5 times
• Ticket Drawing the reader would like to be entered for a chance to win (each email you may select 1 ticket drawing and all tickets earned by logging the books submitted will be entered into that drawing)

In your first email also include:

• Grade & School (this goes towards the Challenges so use the grade they were in this past school year)
• Town/Village/City
• Reading Group (Red Dragons, Yellow Dragons, Green Dragons, or Blue Dragons)
• Phone number (optional, your email address will be used for ticket drawings if no phone number is given)

Reading logs can be digital scans of a paper form, lists in an email, google docs, etc. Please allow up to 72 hours for your forms to be entered into Beanstack before coming to collect Dragon Dollars.

A: Everyone! We have a program for all ages and reading levels. If you are reading to your child or new born, you can register them and yourself under the Board, Picture, and Early Reader Books program. If you do not live in the DeForest Area you are still welcome to join. Please note that we do not ship prizes so if you would like to claim Dragon Dollars or enter ticket drawings you must be able to come to the Library to pick up your prizes.

A: Absolutely! Our programs are based on what you are currently reading. If you mainly read picture books to your kid(s) you can join the Board, Picture, and Early Reader Books program and if you are mainly reading Chapter books you can join the Chapter and Plus books program. It doesn't matter what age you are as long as you are reading or listening to books.

A: YES! Any type of book counts.

A: Yes.

A: No. Although we do encourage you to use our library and our digital collections, any book you read counts. During our reading programs you can even count books you are reading in school! If you were given a Summer Reading List, not only can we help you get a copy of your book, you can count that book towards the reading program as well.

A: No, if you would like to donate your Dragon Dollars please email Jessica at jsvetlik [at] deforestlibrary.org with the amount of non-redeemed Dragon Dollars (meaning they are still owed to you on your Beanstack account) and which charitable cause(s) you would like to donate them to. This program's Charitable causes are: Blessings in a Backpack - DeForest Chapter, Dane County Humane Society, DeForest Area Public Library, Mission Nutrition DeForest, and Norski Nibbles.

A: No, the prizes in our prize store can only be purchased with Dragon Dollars. The reading program is free and open to everyone so sign up and start entering your reading!