Participate in our 2025 Color Our World Summer Reading Program! Summer Reading runs from June 9 until July 31, with a special Bonus Round in August.
How to get started:
- Download the Reader Zone App or visit readerzone.com
- Create an account and add readers. You can create an account for yourself and your child. You do not need to have an account for yourself if you are just signing up a child (but there are great prizes for you too!)
- Enter the 5-character program code 5810e to gain access the Berlin Public Library’s reading program.
- Enroll each reader in the Reading Group that corresponds to their age. There are Groups for all ages: children, teens, and adults!
- Log your reading to earn badges and entries into prize drawings. Youth readers will also earn rewards.
Important note: Readers who are familiar with Beanstack may notice that Reader Zone does not award you virtual prize drawing tickets that you can use to enter into virtual prize drawings. But Reader Zone will tell you that you’ve earned a prize drawing entry. Stop in the library periodically throughout the summer to redeem your entries. Tell us at the front desk how many entries you’ve earned and we’ll give you prize drawing tickets that you can enter into prizes here at the library. Please redeem all your tickets by July 31.
Not interested in using Reader Zone? No worries. We will continue to offer paper reading cards. Just visit us at the library to get signed up!
Here’s how Summer Reading works:
This year’s theme, “Color Our World” celebrates the many ways in which art enriches our lives. We invite you to embark on a journey of art and creativity through stories, reading, and fun events at your library. For the reading portion of our program, you can read any book you like! Audiobooks and graphic novels count too!
Kids & Teens (Birth-12th Grade) – Log the number of minutes you read! Every 120 minutes of reading earns you a ticket to enter for a prize drawing. Kids and teens will also earn reading rewards (like free books, ice cream, and coupons for free items from local businesses). Make sure to grab a Rewards punch card to keep track of your progress. If you’re using Reader Zone, Reader Zone will track your progress for you. Be sure to redeem all your rewards by July 31.
Adults (Ages 18+) – Log the number of books you complete! Every book you complete earns you a ticket to enter for a prize drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why is Summer Reading important?
A: Reading during the summer helps kids retain and build upon the skills they learned in school, resulting in intellectual progress in vocabulary, spelling, and math skills. Summer reading helps prevent the “summer slide,” in which students may lose academic skills and reading achievements during the summer that they had gained during the school year. Furthermore, engaging with stories and the written word fosters social-emotional development and elevates the importance of lifelong learning.
Q: How do I earn prize tickets and where do I enter for a prize?
A: Read! Log your minutes (children and teens) or completed books (adults), and earn tickets into prize drawings. Remember that audiobooks count too! Readers using paper reading cards can enter their completed cards into the prizes displayed at the library. Readers using Reader Zone will need to come to the library to redeem their prize drawing tickets and submit them into the prizes displayed at the library in person. The last day to submit your tickets is July 31st.
Q: What if I don’t have access to a smart phone or computer?
A: Pick up paper cards at the library to track your reading. Completed cards can be entered physically entered into the prize drawing buckets that you want to try to win.
Q: Will there be a prize wheel this year?
A: Yes – the wheel will be out on Wednesdays.
Q: If I have more questions or need help with my Reader Zone account, who do I ask?
A: Send an email to bplstaff@berlinlibrary.org, reach out through our Facebook page, or stop in to ask a staff member for further assistance.
Summer Reading Events
Join us every week for fun programs. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. Stop in or call the library at 920-361-5420 to register.
Beginning June 1: Winnfox Passport Adventure: Pick up a Winnefox passport at your local library beginning June 1. Visit as many Winnefox libraries (there are 30 across 5 counties) as you can before August 15, and get your passport stamped for a chance to win fun prizes!
Monday, June 9 at 2 pm: Teen Craft – Bad Art Night
Thursday, June 12 at 1:30 pm: EAA Airplane Craft
Thursday, June 19 at 4 pm: Teen Photography Class
Saturday, June 21 at 10 am: Adult Color Theory Painting Class
Thursday, June 26 at 1:30 pm: Attic Trunk
Thursday, June 26 at 5:30 pm: Adult Craft Night – DIY Painted Book Edges
Monday, June 30 at 2 pm: Teen Craft – Tie Dye!
Thursday, July 10 at 1 pm: Mr. Pickles Show
Saturday, July 12 at 9 am: Fishing Excursion at Riverside Park
Thursday, July 17 at 2 pm: Painting Class
Thursday, July 24 at 1 pm: Zack Percell of TNZ Magic
Monday, July 28 at 2 pm: Teen Craft – DIY Shoe Decorating
Thursday, July 31 at 2 pm: Bowling Party at Berlin Lanes
A Big Thank You to our Sponsors!
Bugle Mouth Bass Club
Friends of the Library
Green Lake County Fair
Kwik Trip
McDonald’s
Shepard’s Drive-In