Read It Your Way
January 1-December 31
We're bringing a new reading challenge to patrons in 2026! The Read It Your Way 2026 challenge encourages patrons to venture into a variety of genres while exploring different ways to access reading materials, like e-books and audiobooks.
This year, patrons will also have the option of participating virtually using Beanstack or physically using paper logs. Physical logs will be located at the Library Help Desk and must be completed and submitted to count for the challenge. Upon reaching specific milestones, patrons will receive a badge in the form of a sticker.
The challenge will start on January 1, 2026 and end on December 31, 2026. Readers of all ages are welcome to participate.
Unearth a Story
June 13 - July 25
Unearth a Story ™ at Bridgeport Public Library this summer! This year's challenge has plenty to discover for all ages. Register for the challenge on Beanstack or pick up a paper version of the challenge at the Help Desk.
(Please note that once you have made your choice between digital or paper, you will not be able to switch to the other version.)
After registering, join us at the Summer Reading Kickoff on Saturday, June 13th to meet a REAL paleontologist and pick up your Summer Reading Bag from the Help Desk. Each bag includes dino-themed goodies and a few other things to help kickstart your Summer Reading journey. If you are unable to attend this event, you can also pick up your bag from the Help Desk starting Monday, June 15th. (Available while supplies last!)
The more you read and engage with your library community by writing book reviews and attending library events, the more tickets you will earn to put towards special prizes—including a metal detector, a Kobo Clara Colour, a light up terrarium, and more!
All tickets must be manually submitted to the prize(s) of your choice by Friday, July 24th. Participants have until 11:59 pm to submit their tickets via the Beanstack app. Anyone opting for the paper version of the Summer Reading challenge must submit their prize ticket forms to the Help Desk by 5pm. You can put all your tickets towards one prize or spread them out among different prizes, but you can only win once.
Prize drawings will occur on Saturday, July 25th. Winners will be notified by email or phone. Prizes may be picked up on the same day at the Summer Reading Finale at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm. Alternatively, winners may pick up their prize from the Help Desk between Monday, July 27th and Saturday, August 8th.
Simon Says Read 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Can you and your little one read 1,000 books before they enter kindergarten?
Log the books you read together and the ones you hear during storytimes or elsewhere to earn digital badges and physical brag tags!
Why spend time reading with your infant, toddler, or preschooler? Reading to your child can help improve their language skills, their pre-literacy skills, and their social-emotional skills all while providing a great opportunity to bond with your little one!
Does 1,000 books seem to difficult to obtain? Consider this! If you read one book with your child every night before bed, you'll have already read 365 books in a year. That's almost a third of the way there! And, since most kids start kindergarten around age five or six, you'll have well over 1,000 books read in your little one's first three years of life!
It's never too early or too late to foster a love of reading with your little one. Although it might not seem like they're paying attention to the story, they're improving their emotional recognition, early language skills, and pre-literacy skills. It's also a great opportunity to get in some cuddles.
As you hit milestones by logging your reading, you can stop at the Help Desk and collect special brag tags.
This challenge is ongoing, meaning there is no official start date or end date.You can start and end anytime before your child begins kindergarten.
