Reading Challenges
Signup for one of our fun reading challenges using Beanstack:
Beanstack is a website and app that serves as an interactive home for reading challenges and events. It’s your one-stop-shop to not only register for challenges, but to also track your reading habits and unlock badges!
Beanstack is sponsored by the Friends of Hayward Library.
What You Can Do:
- Register as an Individual, Family, Group, or Class - Perfect for parents, summer camps, and teachers! Check out the how-to guide for teachers below.
- Keep a Reading Log and track your reading.
- Set/Record Session Timers: Keep track of what you've read and how long you've read.
- Complete Reading Challenges created by the library.
- Write book reviews
- Earn badges, incentives, and prizes
- Manage a Family Member's Reading Log & Achievements (If registered as a Family) Easily switch views between member profiles without having to change log-ins.
- Receive Weekly Book Recommendations: Recommendations are unique to YOU based on your profile information and reading habits. Optional - select in profile settings
How to Sign Up:
- Beanstack is easy to use and available both online and as a mobile app. Get started at https://hayward.beanstack.com. You can also register through the app (find out how under "Get the App").
- You do not need to have a Library Card to sign up for and use Beanstack. The app allows for everyone, even those without cards, to register and participate in challenges! Choose how you would like to register (as an individual, registering a child, registering a family or group) and then complete all required fields (marked with *) in the online form.
- Once registered, you can access your account online or in the app by signing in with your username and password.
Please Note: An email address is required, if you do not have an email address you will need to create one first then come back to register for Beanstack.
Get the iOS App Get the Android App
Teachers and group leaders:
New this year! Beanstack allows students and their families to track their progress, find activities to complete at home and receive weekly customized book suggestions via email.
Enroll your whole class by following these steps:
- Go to https://hayward.beanstack.com
- Click on REGISTER A CLASS OR GROUP.
- When asked, “Do you want to log reading and activities for this group all at the same time?”, select INDIVIDUALLY.
- Fill out your group information. If your children are different ages, choose an average age and the school most of your children attend.
- Enter your information. Be sure to use an email address that is not already in Beanstack.
- Click “Register group.”
Congratulations, you’re ready to go!
- Select “Edit Reader” from the options in the top left corner.
- Under Personalize, select BASIC INFORMATION. Fill in the information for Reader 1 and click on SAVE.
- At the bottom of the Personalize page, you will see “Share This Reader.” Enter the parent email address for this reader here (optional).
- Click on “Change Readers” and select a new reader profile to edit. Follow steps 1-3 for each additional reader.
Your group’s Beanstack account allows you to quickly and easily log reading minutes and completed activities for your class. If you have shared a reader’s profile with their parents, they will also be able to see the minutes and activities you have logged.
Follow these steps to log reading minutes and activities:
- Select “Log Reading and Activities”.
- Select a specific reader’s profile or choose “All Readers” to add the same entry to every student’s account.
- Select “Minutes” or “Activities”.
- Follow the prompts to complete your entry.
Reading apps can help kids learn to read and practice reading. And they're convenient for busy families who want to encourage reading engagement on the go!
