Did you know that reading 20 minutes a day can reduce stress and improve mental health? This year, we're asking our summer readers to accept the challenge to read 1200 minutes throughout the summer (600 points for Pre-K challengers). That's 20 minutes a day! Completing optional activities and attending library events will also earn points that can be used towards completion of the challenge.

At each point milestone (400/800/1200 for Kids, Adults, and Teens, 200/400/600 for Pre-K) challengers will earn prizes and a ticket for a raffle item of their choice. If participants complete the entire program, they will additionally earn an entry into a grand prize drawing!

Readers participating in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge have two ways to track reading and activities:

Participate Online with Beanstack

ELPL has partnered with Beanstack, opens a new window to offer an exciting way to track your summer reading progress online! Beanstack is available as a webpage or mobile app, opens a new window. Complete activities to earn badges, compete against your friends, gain special access to ELPL curated reading lists, and help us reach out community reading goal this summer!

See below for a video on how to log reading/activities on Beanstack!

Participate Offline with a Paper Log

For participants who would prefer a screen-free summer reading experience, challenge progress for each program may be tracked with a paper log. You may collect a paper tracking log in-person at the East Lansing Public Library, or downloaded from the following links:

Pre-K Challenge Log (PDF), opens a new window

Kids, Teens, and Adults Challenge Log (PDF), opens a new window

Participating in the Summer Reading Challenge will reward readers with prizes, giveaways, and achievements all summer long! The more you read, the more chances you'll have to win!

To claim a prize, please visit the East Lansing Public Library and speak with a library staff member. You may be asked to show proof of completion, so be sure to bring your app or paper log!

Registration: Digby Bookmark & Sticker
Level 1: Coupon Pack & Treasure Chest Prize
Level 2: Book & Tote Bag
Level 3: Summer Reading T-Shirt

List of Prizes 

The items below may not represent all prizes available. Check back all summer for more.

Pre-K (Ages 0-4)

• Drawing Prizes (1 ticket awarded at 200/400/600 points earned. Up to 3 tickets total)

• • Fort Building Kit
  • Dinosaur Magnetic Tiles (48 pieces)
  • Dino Bubble Machine & Bubbles
  • Pasta Play-Doh Kit
  • Bluey Squishmallow (12")
  • $20 Gift Card to Schuler Books
  • Dinosaur Floor Puzzle
  • Duplo (65 Pieces)
  • Water Doodle Mat (40"x32")

• Grand Prizes (1 entry awarded automatically upon challenge completion)

• • Toniebox Audio Player
  • Red Rider Tricycle

Kids (Ages 5-12)

• Drawing Prizes (1 ticket awarded at 400/800/1200 points earned. Up to 3 tickets total)

• • 3D Printing Pen
  • Color Your Own Castle (32" x 32" x 43.5")
  • Crayola Inspiration Art Kit
  • Dino Squishmallow (11")
  • Pikachu Squishmallow (14")
  • Lego 3-in-1 set (Dinosaur)
  • Lego 3-in-1 set (Cat)
  • Mr. Sketch Scented Markers (22 ct)
  • Remote Control Shark

• Grand Prizes (1 entry awarded automatically upon challenge completion)

• • Minecraft Make-A-Fort
  • $50 Gift Card to Launch Trampoline Park
  • Dinosaur Primal Hatch Toy
  • $75 Gift Card to Schuler Books
  • $100 Gift Card to NCG Cinema

Teens (Ages 13-18)

• Drawing Prizes (1 ticket awarded at 400/800/1200 points earned. Up to 3 tickets total)

• • $30 Steam Gift Card
  • Mini Sticker Printer
  • Woobles Crochet Kit (Dinosaur)
  • JBL Bluetooth Speaker
  • Lego Set (Chrysanthemum)

• Grand Prizes (1 entry awarded automatically upon challenge completion)

• • Beats Studio Earbuds
  • 32" Roku Smart TV

Adults (Ages 19+)

• Drawing Prizes (1 ticket awarded at 400/800/1200 points earned. Up to 3 tickets total)

• • $25 Gift Card to Schuler Books
  • $25 Gift Card to Hooked
  • $25 Gift Card to The People's Kitchen
  • $25 Gift Card to Lansing Shuffle
  • $30 Gift Card to The Craft Bar
  • Woobles Crochet Kit (Dinosaur)
  • Diamond Art Suncatcher Kit
  • Adult Lego Set (Tiny Plants)
  • Anxiety Mini Bookshelf (7.7' tall)

• Grand Prizes (1 entry awarded automatically upon challenge completion)

• • Kobo E-Reader
  • Night at the Graduate Hotel

Celebrate Summer Reading with ELPL by attending these special events below!

Additional events to be added. Check back for more!

• June 8
  Summer Reading Kick-Off Party, opens a new window
  All Ages

STAY TUNED FOR MORE EVENTS THROUGHOUT SUMMER!