Offering reading programs for all ages with
In addition to the annual Summer Reading Challenge, JMRL offers reading challenges throughout the year on our Beanstack website and mobile app. Register for a Beanstack account using the Beanstack Tracker App or our Beanstack website.
You can log reading ANYTIME through our Beanstack app or website, but only reading logged on dates during an active challenge will count towards that challenge.
Go to jmrl.beanstack.org to get started!
Go to jmrl.beanstack.org, under Create an Account, choose Register an Individual or Family. You can register only yourself, or if you're the parent of a child, you can either register just the child, or both of you on a family account. Follow the instructions and you'll earn a signup badge, along with the chance to register for a current reading challenge. As JMRL introduces later challenges, you can keep your same account and not have to register again.
You can register multiple family members under one account. Follow the same instructions in the above question. It's recommended that an adult register first, and when that account is created, children and other family members can each be added as “readers.” There will be multiple readers under one login.
You can create your account with just a username and password if you'd like. But if you participate in challenges that offer prize drawings, you'll want to provide either an email address or a phone number so JMRL can contact you if you win!
If you provided your email address when you signed up, go to jmrl.beanstack.org, click Sign In, and click Forgot Your Password? If you did not provide an email address, check with the staff at your nearest JMRL location for assistance in resetting your password.
The boxes with a red asterisk next to them are the only ones that are required. You’re welcome to fill out the information in other boxes if you want to, but those are optional.
Yes! Beanstack Tracker is a mobile app that is free for iOS and Android users.
You can add it from Apple's App Store or Google Play. When it's on your device, you can log in with your Beanstack username and password, and log your reading and activities there.
If you like, you can also quickly add titles to your log by using your camera to scan ISBN barcodes for books you've read.
Each time you reach a reading milestone in your challenge, you'll earn a badge to celebrate your achievement. In some challenges, a badge may come with a prize. If you've earned one of those badges, you'll be notified that there is a prize waiting for you to pick up at your local branch.
If the challenge has a grand prize drawing at the end, you will be notified by JMRL staff if your name is drawn as a winner.
- Read more on the Beanstack FAQ page.
- Contact your local branch or phone the Central Library at 434.979.7151.
- Email beanstack@jmrl.org.
Log your reading* from June 2nd to August 9th and win prizes!
Prize 1: FREE TOTE BAG + Grand Prize Entry when you register for the challenge.
Prize 2: FREE BOOK + Grand Prize Entry when you log 300 minutes.
Prize 3: FREE BOOK + Grand Prize Entry when you log 600 minutes.
Track your reading on Beanstack or on a paper challenge tracker. Beginning May 29th, register on Beanstack or pick up a paper challenge tracker at any JMRL branch.
Visit any JMRL branch to collect your prizes! Grand prize drawings will be held once the challenge is complete.
*What "counts" as reading?
Reading a book, of course, but also:
- Attending storytime, book club, or another library program.
- Reading a recipe as you cook.
- Listening to an audiobook or story read aloud.
- Completing these optional challenges.
- What other literacy activities can you think of? Tell a librarian!
You may also download a PDF version of Summer Reading Challenge 2025: How to Participate.
Also take a look at the Summer Performer Series schedule. Free and fun, for all ages!
Build a reader. JMRL can help your child be ready to learn to read. It's easy and it's fun with 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.
Get started now with Beanstack to log progress.
Use these sheets for marking progress - the first 50 books
Find more: Books 51 - 100 | Books 101 - 200 | Books 201 - 300 | Books 301 - 400 | Books 401 - 500 | Books 501 - 600 | Books 601 - 700 | Books 701 - 800 | Books 801 - 900 | Books 901 - 1000
For ages 11-18
Read to relax. Read for school. Read for information. Read for FUN!
With 100 Books Before Graduation, you can read for all of those reasons - and many more! Get a good start on your future and join in! Start in middle school, read at your own pace, and log 100 books by the time you finish high school.
Earn prizes as you go along - you’ll get a free book when you’ve completed the challenge!
- 10 books - a vinyl sticker
- 30 books - a string backpack
- 60 books - a bookplate to put in a library book of your choice, that you would recommend to others
- 100 books - a free book
Log your progress on Beanstack, and follow along with the 100 Books brochure to list all the titles you read. The brochure is also available at all JMRL locations .