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 and Reader Grand Prizes:
Halfway Grand Prize: 1 Hour of Open Play Gift Card at Ultimate Ninja Academy in Barrington
More details coming soon, we are still working on our Summer Reading site!
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