Welcome to Summer Reading 2026 at the Barrington Area Library!
May 29 - Aug 17, 2026
For kids, teens, and adults
Read, write book reviews, and complete fun activities to earn buttons and prizes.
Ready to sign up or log in? Get started on our Beanstack site.
New to Summer Reading? Here's how it works:
Log your summer reading and other fun activities from your computer, tablet, or mobile device. No Library card required!
1. Create an account at balibrary.org/summer (our Beanstack site).
2. Sign up for 2026 Summer Reading.
3. Add to your log. Log your reading, reviewing, and activities, earn points and badges. There are different levels and activities depending on your age group.
4. Visit the Library to claim your badges and prizes!
Everyone who participates gets a NEW Library lanyard and Summer Reading badges!
Read and win!
Pre-Readers (Birth-Preschool) & Readers (Grades K-8):
Complete your reading goal to earn a free book!
Earn points to receive coupons for treats and fun activities:
- 20 points: 6 free ticket vouchers for Schaumburg Boomers Game on June 17!
- 250 points: a voucher for two tickets to a Kane County Cougars game of your choice!
- 500 points: coupon for a free custard at Culvers in Lake Zurich!
- 750 points: a pass for one free skate at Xtreme Wheels in Crystal Lake!
- 1,000 points: coupon for free ice cream from Oberweis in Lake Zurich!
- 1,500 points: A free pass to a Family Swim at Dolphin Swim (Includes one hour of swimming during Open Swim hours for up to two adults and three children)!
Pre-Reader Grand Prizes:
Pre-Readers can enter their earned tickets into one of the following Grand Prize Baskets:
Baby Bundle Prize:
- The Hatch Sound Machine
- Lovevery Crawl to Me Kit
Busy Builders Prize:
- LEGO Duplo Box
- Creative Fort Building Kits
- ECO Block Stacking Kit
Exceptional Explorer Prize:
- Space Tent
- Magic Potion Science Kit
- Discovery LED Starlight Lantern
Partying Paleontologist Prize:
- Dinosaur Costume
- Learning Resources Fizzy Volcano
- Spot It! Dinosaur game
Retro Rewind Prize:
- View-Master Classic
- Lincoln Logs
- Classic Sit 'N Spin
Uniquely You Prize:
- Big Little Feelings Calm Down Kit
- Slumberkins Affirmation Cards
- Slumberkins Routine Chart
Book of the Summer Prize:
- Toasty the Goldfish
- A copy of Growing Home by Beth Ferry
Halfway Grand Prize: 1 Hour of Open Play Gift Card at Ultimate Ninja Academy in Barrington.
Reader Grand Prizes:
Readers can enter their earned tickets into one of the following Grand Prize Baskets:
Clue Collector Prize:
- Crack the Code Game
- National Geographic Spy Science Activity Kit
- A gift card for two at Mastermind Escape Games
Exceptional Explorer Prize:
- Take a Hike Field Journal
- Handheld Digital HD Microscope
- Magnifying Glasses and Wood Bug Cards
Family Game Night Prize:
- $30 Primo Pizza Gift Card
- Telestrations Game
- Azul Game
- Sorry Game
Hobby Hopper Prize:
- The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs
- Root Viewer Gardening Kit
- National Geographic Magic Set
- Pink Jungle Animals Paint Marker-by- Number Kit
Partying Paleontologist Prize:
1 Year Family Membership to the Field Museum in Chicago
Retro Rewind Prize:
- Hedgehog Chia Pet
- Cat’s Cradle activity set
- Skip It!
- LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Retro Telephone Kids Toy
Book of the Summer Prize:
- Toasty the Goldfish plush
- A copy of Growing Home by Beth Ferry
Halfway Grand Prize: 1 Hour of Open Play Gift Card at Ultimate Ninja Academy in Barrington.
Young Adults and Adults:
Earn 500 points to complete the Summer Reading program!
Earn points when you log your reading, write book reviews, or choose from our list of summer activities. Once you complete the program, stop by the Adult Services desk on the second floor to receive your free umbrella - while supplies last. Keep reading to earn raffle tickets for the grand prizes!
Adult Grand Prizes:
Keep logging your reading and activities to earn raffle tickets for the following prize drawings:
- $100 Barnes & Noble gift card
- $100 gift card for local restaurant of your choice
- Kindle E-Reader
- Record Player
Young Adult Grand Prizes:
Keep logging your reading and activities to earn raffle tickets for the following prize drawings:
- $100 Barnes & Noble gift card
- $100 gift card for local restaurant of your choice
- Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Camera
- Headphones
EVERYONE:
Help us reach collective Summer Reading milestones, and each of our generous sponsors will donate $500 to the Cuba Township and Barrington Township Food Pantries.
SPONSORS:
- Barrington Rotary = 1,000 Summer Reading sign-ups
- Barrington Bank & Trust = Community reads a total of 1,000,000 minutes
- Barrington Area Development Council = 2,000 Summer Reading sign-ups
- Barrington 220 Educational Foundation = Community reads a total of 2,000,000 minutes