Reading Challenges
Summer Reading Challenge for children aged 5-12
This summer we invite children to join our reading challenge. It's the perfect way for children aged 5-12 to fill those sunny days with imagination, and discovery.
How it works:
- You must be a library member to take part. Register at Beanstack to take part in the fun. (You will need your library membership number.)
- Log your book on the Beanstack app to track progress.
- Children can share thoughts of the books they've read by leaving reviews.
- Read 12 books and write 2 reviews.
Books that are logged earn vibrant digital badges and when you complete the challenge above, you go into the draw to win:
5-6 years- 1x $50 Gleebooks voucher
7-8 years- 1x $50 Gleebooks voucher
9-10 years- 1x $50 Gleebooks voucher
11-12 years- 1x $50 Gleebooks voucher
Join us and encourage the children in your life to experience the quiet magic of reading this summer. Start the challenge today.
Register now
Terms and conditions (DOCX 740.2KB)
Terms and conditions (PDF 165.3KB)
1000 Books Before School for Children 0-5
Encourage a love of books and reading at an early age with 1000 Books Before School. Read aloud together and let the magic of stories do the rest.
Whether it's a book read together at home, Book Buddies, Storytime or Family Tales, log them all and earn rewards every time you complete a 100 book milestone.
Rewards include digital badges, a tote bag and iron on colourful patches at every milestone.
How to get started
Start logging your child’s reading. When you complete the first 100 book milestone, visit Inner West Libraries to receive an exclusive library bag and the first 100 books iron on patch.
For every additional 100 book milestone, visit the library and receive a colourful patch to add to your library bag.
The program finishes once your child reads 1,000 books, starts school or turns 6.
Upon completion your child will receive a certificate of participation.
Frequently asked questions
You will need to register each child that will be participating. There is no limit to how many family members can participate.
Yes, you can read the same books as many times as your child likes, as repetition is important for learning. Just log the same book as many times as you read the book.
When you log your books in your child’s account, a pop-up message will inform you to go to the library to collect the library bag and patches. You will also receive an email once you have logged reading milestones.
You have until your child turns 6 to complete the program.
No, the program begins for your family on the day you register.
What is Beanstack?
Beanstack is the online platform to Inner West Council Libraries reading programs.
Beanstack is an easy-to-use online platform that will keep track of the books or minutes that you read.
Once you join a reading challenge and log your reading, you can earn virtual badges, and with some reading challenges, you can go into the draw to win prizes!
Readers of all ages can use Beanstack and you can sign up multiple readers for your household under one account.
For convenient access, download the Beanstack Tracker mobile app on the App Store or Google Play.
The Benefits of Beanstack for Parents
- Easy monitoring of children's reading progress and an opportunity to celebrate achievements together.
- Access to book recommendations, and reading lists based on a child's age, interests and reading level. Ensuring they stay engaged and excited about reading.
- Parents can participate alongside their children in reading challenges and discussions. This helps to strengthen family bonding, creates a positive reading environment at home, and reinforces the importance of reading as a family activity.
Beanstack help guides
How to sign up to Beanstack
- You must be a member of Inner West Council Libraries. Sign up for library membership here.
- Register on Beanstack here. Click on ‘Register an Individual or Family’.
- Fill in your information and follow the prompts on the screen.
- Beanstack allows families to be linked together, so all family members can access their account with one login.
- For convenient on the go access, download the Beanstack Tracker mobile app on the App Store or Google Play. When you open the app search for Inner West Libraries and sign in or register for an account.
Getting started with the Beanstack mobile app
This video gives you a tour of how to log reading, participate in challenges, track reading statistics, and connect with members of your community on the Beanstack mobile app.
How to view and participate in reading challenges on the mobile app
This short video will show you how to view your challenges, register for available challenges, and track your challenge progress in the Beanstack app.
The Children's Book Council of Australia - 2024 Book of the Year Awards Notables List
Click the images to browse and borrow the books in our library catalogue. Visit the CBCA website for more information.