Winter Reading Challenge

The Winter Reading Challenge officially ends on February 28, but a grace period will be given to pick up completion prizes by March 15. (Youth get a free book and reading pins/magnets, while adults get a book sale voucher.) There is a grand prize drawing for the adults, but the grace period does not apply to the drawing. The adult grand prize winner will be announced in the first week of March. 

The annual Winter Reading Challenge for kids, teens, and adults will run from January 12 - February 28, 2026.

Join us for the 2026 Winter Reading Challenge! Everyone, birth through adult, can log 15 days of reading from January 12 - February 28 to complete the challenge. Participants ages 0 - 17 will win a free book and winter-themed mini-badges buttons to keep, while adults ages 18+ will receive a voucher for 1 free item from our book sale and be entered into a grand prize drawing!

Contact jstolz@urbandale.org for youth and sstanton@urbandale.org for adult questions. We'll get back to you as soon as possible! 

Step 1

• Online: Beanstack can be used on a browser or through their app. Register at urbandalelibrary.beanstack.org to create your account. You do not need to create a new account if you already have one from our previous summer, winter, or spring reading programs. (Can’t remember your Beanstack password? Click here. Not sure of your Beanstack username? Click here.)
• Paper: If you would prefer to fill out a paper log, you can pick one up from the library or download/ print the PDF linked below.
  • 2026 Winter Reading Challenge Paper Log

Step 2

Track every day you read between January 12 - February 28. How long you read each day is up to you. (Read 10 minutes, or 2 hours, the choice is yours!) You can read whatever you'd like. Books, e-books, magazines, and comic books all count - and so does listening to an audiobook or being read to.

Step 3

Earn prizes! Youth (0 - 17) earn a free book and 3 mini-badges. Adults (18+) earn a Book Sale Voucher and an entry in the grand prize drawing.

Earn Mini-Badges!

Youth (ages 0 - 17) can earn mini-badge buttons each time you log 5 days of reading! (Choose either a pin or a magnet for each mini-badge.) Because we are challenging you to read for at least 15 days this winter, you can collect up to 3 badges. Please note that the first day to collect badges will be January 26. 

Completion Prizes (Congrats, you completed the challenge and tracked 15 days of reading!)

January 26 is the first day the Winter Reading Challenge can be completed.

Paper Log Users

• Youth (ages 0 - 17) go to the Youth Area and turn in your paper log. Then select a free book as your completion prize.
• Adults (ages 18+) go to the Front Desk and let the staff person know you are ready to pick up a Book Sale Voucher as your completion prize. Adults also earn an entry in the grand prize drawings and will need to turn in their paper log at the front desk by February 28 to be included in the grand prize drawing.

Beanstack Users

• Youth (ages 0 - 17) go to the Youth Area and select a free book as their completion prize.
• Adults (ages 18+) go to the Front Desk and let the staff person know you are ready to pick up a Book Sale Voucher as your completion prize. Adults also earn an entry in the grand prize drawings. Those who use Beanstack will be automatically put in the drawing upon completion (tracking 15 days), no extra steps required.