Plant a Seed at Berkeley Public Library!
June 4, 2026 – August 15, 2026
Welcome to the Berkeley Public Library’s Summer Reading!
Sign up and receive a free book while supplies last.
Don’t forget to log your Summer Reading activities and apply your tickets toward the prize(s) you hope to win.
Complete Summer Reading for a chance to win in the August prize drawing. Come back when you have finished to pick up a prize!
Click the following questions to learn the answers!
Beanstack is the Library’s web-based summer reading software. It allows you to track your Summer Reading minutes and activities online. There is even an app! Even if you’re using a paper game card, log your activities online to be entered into the prize drawing.
Go to https://berkeleypubliclibrary.beanstack.org
- If you have registered on Beanstack in previous years, login with your email address and password. If you forgot your password, reset it online or call the Central Library (510) 981-6223 for help.
- If you are registering for the first time, click on the red “register an individual or family” button and fill in your information.
Note for families: Beanstack allows families to be linked together under one login and email. If you are an adult registering a child, be sure to enter your information under “Adult Information.” To toggle between users, click the top right username button.
Go to https://berkeleypubliclibrary.beanstack.org
- Click on the red “log reading and activities” button in the upper left corner or on the blue plus sign on the app.
- Follow the prompts on the screen to log what you have accomplished to earn badges.
A badge is a colored-in marker of your progress, numbered from 1 to 10. You earn badges for completing Summer Reading activities. For children, 30 badges complete your Summer Reading Challenge and you receive 10 tickets to apply to the prize drawing.
Children may earn badges each time they:
- Read a book or an ebook for 20 minutes
- Listen to a book or audiobook for 20 minutes
- Attend a library program
- Visit a museum (Get free passes with Discover and Go. Find out how on our website)
- Go on a nature walk
- Read a type of book you wouldn't normally
- Plant something
- Visit a CA State park
- Make a visual book review
- Draw or photograph something in nature
- Write a book review
Kids may repeat the process up to 5 times and earn a maximum of 50 tickets towards the drawing.
For teens & adults, complete your Summer Reading Challenge by engaging in the following activities:
- Read something new
- Go outside!
- Attend a library program
- Write a nature poem
- Visit a State Park
- Listen to an audiobook on Libby or Hoopla
- Garden or visit a community garden
- Visit the Tool Lending Library
- Discover new music
- Take an online course
- Draw or take a picture in nature
- Read in nature or at the park
To enter the prize drawing in August, be sure to apply the tickets you’ve earned from completing the Summer Reading Challenge to the prize drawing. Click on the “Ticket Drawings” to apply the tickets you’ve earned to the prizes of your choosing.
A special reward for K-8th graders: Complete the Berkeley Public Library Summer Challenge and come to the library to receive a voucher for 2 free tickets to the Cal vs. Wagner home game on September 19th.
REDEEM YOUR VOUCHER FOR ACTUAL TICKETS IN PERSON ON or BEFORE SEPTEMBER 19TH at the Cal Athletic Ticket Office. You can visit the ticket office prior to the game during normal business hours. There is also a chance to purchase additional tickets for family members at a reduced cost!
Cal Athletic Ticket Office:
1923 Gridiron Way, Berkeley 94720
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
Please note: complimentary tickets provided through this program are for personal use only. Any tickets found listed on secondary resale markets will be voided and revoked immediately. Let’s keep this a special experience for our readers—thank you for your cooperation!
Email us at bplsummer@berkeleyca.gov or call (510) 981-6223.
