You're invited to Book Your Summer! with the Des Moines Public Library!
This year's summer reading program may look a little different - and a little more virtual - but COVID-19 isn't going to stop us from hosting this important annual initiative. Staying engaged with books and learning during summer is a way to help stop the "summer slide." Children on average lose about two months of reading skills over the summer if they don't keep reading. With the closure of schools this spring due to the pandemic, that loss could likely be greater.
So this summer, children under 18 an watch, read, and do with the library to keep reading and learning, and win prizes. And it's so simple!
- Register for the program on Beanstack. (You can also pick up a paper log at any of our libraries' curbside pickup service.)
- We'll be kicking off Book Your Summer! with a very special virtual concert with the Brazilian 2wins at 9 AM on Wednesday, July 1. Head to our Facebook page that morning!
- Watch a DMPL virtual program, read 20 minutes, or do a fun learning activity and track your progress on the paper log or electronically on Beanstack between July 1 and August 15.
- Once you earn all 18 badges (or cross off 18 Rosies on the paper log) you did it! You booked your summer with DMPL!
- Redeem your prize (a book!) at any of our buildings beginning July 8.
- Call (515) 283-4152 for help with registration or any other questions.
SIGN UP FOR BOOK YOUR SUMMER! Click HERE to Register on Beanstack, or download the mobile Beanstack Tracker app on your phone.
Printable Reading Log
Registro de lectura
So... how do you earn badges?
WATCH virtual library programs all summer long!
Each week throughout the summer we'll be posting virtual program videos to our Facebook and YouTube channels. Librarians will read stories, sing songs, and present “how-to” videos of crafts and STEM experiments. You’ll also see some of your favorite performers making special appearances! Watch a program to get a badge!
READ at least twenty minutes a day, every day!
School’s out, but reading (or being read to) should be a part of your daily summer routine. Reading during the summer sustains school progress and helps fight the summer slide. 20 minutes of reading (or being read to) will earn you a badge.
DO fun activities to keep your mind and body active and sharp!
Take home grab n’ go bags (see below) from the library each week, or pick a learning activity to do with your family at home. Don’t forget to be active while you learn! Completing an activity means you get a badge!
Be sure to keep checking in here on the website for more information. If you are on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram, be sure to follow us there as well. We're excited to book our summer with you this year!
Book Your Summer! FAQ
Sign up to track electronically via Beanstack or download the individual or classroom logs to track manually. Don't have a printer? Pick up a log at any DMPL location via curbside pickup service. If you already have a Beanstack account, just sign in.
If you registered on Beanstack in the past but forgot your password, just click “sign in” and “forgot password.” A password reset will be emailed to you. If this doesn’t work and you still have questions, you can email us at libwebmaster@dmpl.org, or call us at (515) 283-4152.
It’s simple. Just WATCH, READ, or DO (see above) and update your Book Your Summer! Beanstack account. Once you get 18 badges, you’ve completed the summer reading program!
Of course! We know you are missing the library and our live interactive children’s programming, so each week we will be giving you – free of charge – a bag full of supplies and goodies to keep your child occupied (and earning another badge).
Once you register for the program, you can pick up the first bag at any library via curbside pickup (LINK). Just show up, follow the directions on the outdoor signage, and when you call the library say you would like the first Book Your Summer! bag.
Each Thursday after that during the summer, a new grab n’ go bag will be available for pickup the same way. Inside will be more supplies and instructions on how to build crafts, do activities, etc.
Children who complete Book Your Summer! each earn a new book from the library. Just come to the library to claim your prize (via curbside service, or in person, if the library is open later this summer). Participants can only complete the program once and can only claim one prize each. If the book you receive is one you already have, please just pass it along to someone else!
This summer reading program is made possible by the Des Moines Public Library Foundation and its very generous donors. For more info on how you can help fund important library initiatives like this, go HERE.
Book Your Summer! is sponsored by the Des Moines Public Library Foundation with financial support from these generous donors: Wells Fargo, Nationwide Foundation, Karen Shaff & Steve Jayne, Cole-Belin Education Foundation, Ralph & Sylvia G. Green Foundation, W.T. & Edna M. Dahl Trust, George & Kathleen Kochheiser Family Fund, and Walmart