Family issues $25K challenge for summer reading program

Get ready to do some serious reading this summer and help raise money for the Berryville Library Building project. A local family who asks to remain anonymous has issued a challenge, pledging to donate $1 for every hour read up to 25,000 hours for the 2022 Summer Reading program at the Berryville Library.

To read that many hours, the library will need readers of all ages in the community, and all those who care about the library whether they live near or far, to participate.

Themes are an important part of every summer reading program. This year’s theme is sure to offer wild adventures and a ton of fun trying to determine what will happen when you get lost 25,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Separate challenges are available for readers and listeners ages 0 to 105. Reading hours are logged for June and July and all types of reading count, including reading to others or listening to audiobooks or reading on your telephone or smart device.

The reading program utilizes an online app called Beanstack, where you can get registered to participate. Those who prefer to track their hours on paper can sign up and pick up a paper form at the library located at 104 Spring St.

“It is great that our donor family wanted to follow along with the 25,000 Leagues under the Sea theme and donate up to $25,000,” library director Julie Hall said. “This is such exciting news for our community and now we are asking the community to step up big and help us read 25,000 hours this summer. If you want a fun way to get this challenge started, join us for our 2nd Annual Storywalk the morning of June 4. You can sign up for the summer reading challenge there and create your own underwater adventure tale.”

Children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or just avid readers who want to participate are encouraged to do so. You don’t have to live in Berryville to participate since hours can be logged in from anywhere in the world through the Beanstack app.

“What a boost this pledge will make to our building fund,” fundraising chairman Tyler Squires said. “The library is trying to raise the needed $2.5 million to build a new and expanded library by 2025 or before, so thanks to this generous family, this will put us a full 1 percent closer to meeting our goal, if the community can meet the challenge. Please read this summer.”

Area businesses have donated prizes to those reaching their individual reading goals, and the Beanstack app will have features that allow participants to keep track of their hours, post reviews of the books they are reading, and monitor progress toward the 25,000-hour reading goal.

Registration starts Tuesday, May 31. The reading challenge officially begins Monday, June 6, and will end on July 29. For more information or to get signed up, visit www.berryvillelibrary.org/Summer or call the Berryville Public Library at 870-423-2323.

The Berryville Library and Friends of the Berryville Library have active Facebook and Instagram pages.