Question: Why should I sign-up my child?
Answer: Reading is an important skill that your child will use for life. Encouraging the love of reading is a priceless foundation that supports your child's education. It is fun and your child will receive prize books for reading! Your child can pick out a book when registering to participate and after reading 500 and 1,000 minutes.
Question: What if my child isn't old enough to read on their own?
Answer: Read aloud to your child. Even babies benefit from hearing words and stories, so find a board book and open it up.
Question: Do I have to have a library card to participate in the Summer Reading Program?
Answer: No, having a library card is not necessary. However, we encourage you to get one and take advantage of all the items we have available for checkout.
Question: Do I have to read library books?
Answer: No, any book, magazine, newspaper, or online content can be counted.
Question: If I read a book to my child more than once, can I track those minutes?
Answer: Of course! Reading books multiple times is beneficial to the development of the child's vocabulary and reading skills.
Question: If I read to my child can the minutes count for both of us?
Answer: Yes!
Question: Can I count audiobooks?
Answer: Sure! Count that time!!
Question: Tracking the time on-line seems like a hassle. Do I have to do it this way?
Answer: No, on-line tracking is a way for the library to make sure you and/or your child receive any earned prizes. You can track time electronically, through the website, the Beanstack app or on paper. Time can be entered online, at the library or by emailing info@bastroplibrary.org. **Please allow a full day before visiting the library to pick-up prize books if you email your time.
Question: How long do we have to read 500 minutes?
Answer: The program runs for nine weeks. All time and virtual tickets must be turned in by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 26 to receive prize books or grand prize baskets.
Question: Why do you track minutes? Pages are easier.
Answer: Tracking minutes is a common way kids measure their reading for school and it is what they are accustomed to doing. Please don't feel like you need to set a timer. Just give us the best estimate for the time you have read. We trust you!!
Question: What are this year's prizes?
Answer: Click "here" for the list of grand prizes. The list will be available on (TBA). Youth and adults who read 500 minutes will be eligible for prize books and grand prize baskets. Youth receive new books, as prizes. Adults receive a $2.00 coupon to use in the Friends of the Library Book Nook. There is a limit of 3 new books or Friends of the Library coupons.Twenty tickets may be earned to enter for grand prize baskets (that's 20,000 minutes!).
Question: Are there any programs for adults only?
Answer: Yes! We have a variety of adult programs that are scheduled for this summer, including some that occur year-round. Check the summer calendar for other programs.
Question: What is Beanstack and how do I use it?
Answer: Beanstack is a website that allows you to track the minutes you read online. You can access it through the library website or the Beanstack app and log your minutes. You will make an account for an individual or a family.
Question: How do I sign-up for the summer reading program?
Answer: There are several ways to sign up.
- Visit the library and ask about Summer Reading.
- Visit our website, bastroplibrary.org, click the Summer Reading tab and go to register.
- Download the Beanstack app and create an account.
- Call the library at 512-332-8880
Tips for signing-up:
1. "I am registering myself."
a. Use this option if you have your own email address and are not a part of a family account.
b. An Individual account cannot be added to a family account without losing progress and prizes earned.
2. "I am an Adult registering a child."
a. Use this to sign-up each family member in one account.
b. Everyone in a family account can access the account with the same username and password.
c. Each member can track progress and earn prizes at their own pace.
d. Each member is automatically enrolled in the right program based on age and grade entered at sign-up.
e. The family account can be comprised of only kids. Adults do not have to sign up to log a child's minutes.
f. Adults, by signing up and reading, (including reading to your kids), you earn prizes too!
Question: Can I sign-up my daycare, or other group?
Answer: Yes! Please contact Bethany Dietrich at 512-332-8880 or email her at bdietrich@bastroplibrary.org for assistance.
Question: How do I track my time online?
Answer: Go to the library website or the Beanstack app and log into your account.
1. Your account will open to the last person who logged activity.
a. To switch readers
(i) Go to the name of the family member icon in the upper left-hand corner and choose who is logging time.
b. Log time.
(i) Click the green Log Reading button
(ii) Choose log minutes
(iii) Select a day on the calendar
(iv) Type in the minutes or hours read
(v) Click the green log button to submit
(vi) To log out, click the gray button
2. Visit the library and we can help!
Question: How do I get my book prizes or my Friends of the Library Book Nook coupon?
Answer: When you register, you receive your first book prize. Congratulations! You will be automatically notified that you have earned a reward. Check on the Rewards tab in your Summer Reading Program account to see information about the books you have earned. Visit the library Tuesday, June 11 through Saturday, August 10 to pick-up book prizes. Book Nook coupons must be spent by August 31, 2024.
Question: How do I enter the grand prize drawings?
Answer: Once you have read enough to enter a drawing, you will be automatically notified that you have received a virtual ticket. Click the Ticket tab in your Summer Reading Program account to view all the grand prize baskets available.
1. To add your ticket to any of the grand prize baskets:
a. Click the green Add Ticket button to your preferred basket.
b. Click the plus sign (+) to add your ticket.
c. Click the green Enter Ticket button.
d. Click close.
2. Visit or call the library and we can help.