The Hernando County Public Library System offers a rich array of helpful high-tech applications that can bring a whole host of library services and materials to your phone and computer. Now, the library system has taken its diverse menu of literary-centered apps to a whole new level by launching a program that motivates and enables library patrons to read more!
The Hernando County Public Library System is kicking off the Beanstack Reading Challenge App.
“The library is excited to introduce its new reading challenge app to motivate readers of all ages to read more,” said Valerie Martin, branch supervisor at the East Hernando Branch of the Hernando County Public Library System. “The free Beanstack app is available in both the App Store and Google Play. Beanstack can also be accessed through a web browser at https://hernandocountylibrary.beanstack.org.”
This fun and versatile app challenges library patrons of all ages to find exciting new reads—and to track their reading accomplishments toward the attainment of reading goals and prizes. “Readers will join reading challenges for their age group or grade level and log their reading time or specific books to earn digital badges,” said Martin. “Other reading challenges, such as 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and Summer 2024: Adventure Begins at Your Library (Children’s), offer prizes when reaching milestones for reading.”
Young readers, in particular, will find much to like about this family-friendly library app, complete with programs custom-designed to meet their educational needs.
“1,000 Books Before Kindergarten promotes early literacy and early language skills by exposing young children to reading and language during the 0-5 critical years of development,” said Martin. “The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) promotes a reading theme each summer, such as Adventure Begins at Your Library, to keep children reading and learning throughout the summer months. Summer library reading programs help children retain literacy skills and new knowledge learned throughout the school year.”
Beanstack also engages readers of all varieties of genres through book discussion groups and reading-centered reward programs that offer special incentives to those who simply love to lose themselves in a good book—and to share their feelings about those compelling tomes.
“Other Beanstack reading challenges encourage participation in the library’s book discussion groups, the Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) program, the Florida Teens Read (FTR) program, and classic literature,” said Martin. “The Beanstack app can also be used as a personal log to track reading time or books read.”
The Beanstack app launched on May 1st, 2024. The library’s Adventure Begins at Your Library summer reading program launches on June 1st, 2024. Hernando County Public Library System can be reached at 352.754.4043. Information about library programs is available at https://hernandocountylibrary.us. Connect with the Hernando County Public Library System on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram @hernandolibrary.
Cyndi Loftis-Culp, library services director of the Hernando County Public Library System, is thrilled to bring Beanstack to her patrons, who are in the process of introducing them to stacks of new and exciting reads.
“HCPLS is very excited to provide the app and program to our patrons and looks forward to seeing the use it will receive.”
