Thursday, May 12, 2022
This guest post was created collaboratively with the Beanstack team.
In Spring of 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Library Services Team, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Libary Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, entered into a partnership with Zoobean to provide all public libraries in Wisconsin access to Beanstack. A virtual program to facilitate reading challenges like Summer Reading and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Almost 300 Wisconsin libraries are currently live and active on Beanstack! This partnership has been incredibly exciting and we are looking forward to increasing the number of live public libraries in Wisconsin!
About Beanstack for Public Libraries
Beanstack helps library staff facilitate compelling reading challenges to engage and motivate readers. The intuitive web software and mobile app use data-driven gamification features to encourage library users to sign up and stay engaged in reading programs. In the user-friendly admin dashboard, library staff can easily manage accounts and get instant access to real-time data and insights into program impact.
With Beanstack, libraries can:
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Motivate more reading with less effort through ready-made reading challenge templates, fun badges, reading streaks, friends, and leaderboards.
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Use a 4.7-star mobile app with easy reading tracking tools, including an ISBN scanner, reading timer, daily reading stats, and more.
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Organize summer reading with easy staff and administrator access to virtual reading logs, prize tracking, and online drawings.
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Drive-up circulation and use of library resources with community learning activities, book lists, and reading list challenges.
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Access reports breaking down challenge participation and general usage to help draw valuable insights about the community.
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Get peace of mind with a thorough, speedy, and dedicated client success team.
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Gain access to forthcoming features, like reading fundraisers and Bingo card challenges.
Getting Started/Implementation
If you are interested in getting started for the first time or re-engaging after taking a year or two off, reach out to Becky (rebekah@zoobean.com) to set up Beanstack. Becky works with libraries to customize their Beanstack site to fit community needs and library programming. Kickoff calls, a setup checklist, and a quality assurance review process help ensure success when the site is sent live into the world. After the initial launch Becky will continue to work with library staff to utilize turn-key Beanstack challenge content, or dig in and create custom challenges to motivate readers all year long!
Tandems — Link Students’ Reading Logs at Your Library and School
In fall 2021, the DPI began offering Beanstack to school libraries with additional funding from LSTA. Beanstack's proprietary “tandems” system gives students the option to safely sync public library and school accounts, allowing families to simultaneously participate in reading challenges at both schools and libraries year round. This is a great way to encourage collaboration between schools and libraries, as well as boost summer program participation. And, if a library serves multiple participating school districts, connections can be made with all of them. Fill out this form to get started!
We encourage you to explore this great opportunity to engage your readers and foster school and public library connections!