Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Library's Summer Reading Program Begins Online May 22

Advance registration for Forsyth County Public Library’s annual Summer Reading Fun program is now open and participants of all ages can register online. Participants may begin tracking reading and activities to earn badges and points on Friday, May 22.

Based on current recommendations for social distancing in the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Summer Reading Fun will take place online only.

“We were really looking forward to spending the summer with everyone at the library, but we’re working to transition many of the scheduled events and performances to be delivered online instead,” says Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

The theme for this year’s Summer Reading Fun program is “Imagine Your Story.”


“We are grateful to our patrons for the support they’ve given to our online programming so far and we hope our slate of online programs inspire them to imagine new stories all summer long,” adds Walker.

All summer programs for kids and adults will be presented online and advance registration will be required for select events. Participation in all online events will be free.

A full guide to online programs and events for the summer is available for download.

Registration Now Open

Library patrons can register to participate in Summer Reading Fun through July 31.



Patrons who participated in Summer Reading Fun 2019, Winter Reading Fun 2020, or 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, will not need to create a new account on Beanstack. They can simply sign into their existing account and select the Summer Reading Fun 2020 program.

Patrons who are participating for the first time should create an account on Beanstack by clicking “Register an Individual or Family.” Parents and caregivers can create their own accounts, then create and manage reading accounts for their children by clicking the arrow next to your name in the upper left hand corner of the screen and then “Add a Reader.”

If you have questions about creating an account or registering for Summer Reading Fun 2020, please call 770-781-9840 or Ask a Librarian.

Earn Points May 22 – July 31

Summer Reading Fun participants can use the Beanstack app for Apple or Android devices to track books read, activities completed, and badges earned from May 22 to July 31.

Participants may also log into Beanstack on desktop or laptop computers to track reading and activities. Just log into Beanstack and click “Log Reading and Activities,” then select “Books” if you would like to enter individual books for 20 points each. Select “Minutes” if you would like to enter the amount of time you spent reading (every 15 minutes earns 20 points) or click “Activities” to log points earned by completing activity challenges or using library services. Click “Close” to return to the home screen and see the points and badges earned.

Kids Earn 500 Points to Claim Prizes

Summer Reading Fun participants in the Preschool, Elementary, and Teen programs who earn 500 or more points will earn prizes such as a window decal and treats from local sponsors.

Prizes may be claimed between July 1 and August 3 while supplies last.

All participants who reach 500 points, including adults, will receive a Super Reader window decal.


Additionally, when kids and teens reach 500 points, Beanstack will send an email with instructions to call the library to pick up their prize via an appointment with the library’s Contact-Free Curbside Pickup service.

Families with more than one registered participant in the Preschool, Elementary, and Teen programs should, if possible, schedule one appointment when all participants in the household have earned 500 points.

Prize choices for preschoolers include a shaky egg or storytime scarf.

Prize choices for elementary, middle, and high school students include a Zaxby’s Kidz Meal, a small Wendy’s Frosty, a Fun for Free pass from Stars and Strikes, a McDonald’s ice cream cone, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers treat (available only at Hampton Park Library), or a Chick-fil-A treat (available only at Hampton Park Library).

Earn Entries for Grand Prize Drawings

All participants will earn one entry into grand prize drawings for every 500 points earned.

Preschool-aged participants could win an Imagine Your Story Grand Prize Book Basket, a Family Games Grand Prize Basket, or Family Passes to INK.

Elementary-aged participants could win a Unicorns Grand Prize Gift Basket, a Dragons Grand Prize Gift Basket, a Harry Potter Grand Prize Gift Basket, Gwinnett Stripers baseball tickets, or an Amazon Kindle Fire 7 Kids Edition.

Teens could win a Book Lovers Grand Prize Basket, a Harry Potter Grand Prize Basket, or a Starbucks Grand Prize Basket.

Adult participants could win an Amazon Kindle Fire 10 or gift certificates to Tam’s Backstage, Costco, or YMCA.

Please Support Summer Reading Fun Sponsors

Summer Reading Fun 2020 is sponsored by these local businesses and organizations: FCPL Friends & Advocates, Stars and Strikes, Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's, Wendy's, McDonald's, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, COSTCO Wholesale, ink Museum: Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, Cumming Aquatic Center, Warbington Farms, Cumming Country Fair & Festival, Tam's Backstage, Cherry Street Brewing, YMCA, Cumming Pediatric Dentistry, Russell Holcombe of Keller Williams, Gwinnett Stripers, and Mellow Mushroom.

For more information about Summer Reading Fun 2020, getting a library card, using online Library services, or to learn about Contact-Free Curbside Pickup, please visit www.forsythpl.org.