Discover our Reading Challenges
The Charles Sturt Libraries host a series of reading challenges throughout the year including seasonal challenges over the school holidays. Keep an eye out on this page for all the reading challenges currently open to registration.
To get started with any of the below challenges, please register at any City of Charles Sturt library branch or online through our Beanstack page.
Please note, Beanstack is a free online service that our libraries use as a tool to help us run reading challenges, log reading activity and even offer book recommendations.
It is also available on your mobile devices via an app, which can be downloaded here:
Current Challenges
1001 Books Before School (Pre-school aged)
Get your child on the right path by reading 1001 books before they start school. You can read books to and with them.
The average picture book takes just five minutes to read. If you spend just 15 minutes reading three books with your child each day, you'll read 1000 books in a year.
Record and track books read online and your child can win a small prize from the library.
Get started
- Visit your local library to get your child a Lizzie the Literacy Lizard Library Card
- Register and make an account for your child on Beanstack
- Log all books read in your account
- Each time your child reaches a milestone, come into the library to collect a small prize
At the completion of the program, having read 1001 books before starting school, your child will be invited to a celebration to receive a certificate and a book as a reminder of their achievements.
Frequently asked questions
How old does my child have to be to start the program?
Your child can start at any time as long as they have not started school. The earlier you start, the longer you have to complete the program and the more rewards your child will get!
What happens if I have more than one child?
You register each child! There is no limit to how many family members can participate.
Can I read the same book more than once to my child? How do I count that?
Yes, you can read the same books as many times as your child requests it to be read to them. You simply log the same book as many times as you read the book.
What if my child starts school and hasn’t finished the program?
You have until the end of term 1 of the year your child starts school to complete the program.
How will I know my child has reached a milestone?
When you log you books in your child’s account, a pop-up message will inform you to go to the library to collect a prize.
Do the books read have to be library books?
No, any book that is read can be recorded.
Can I count books that are read to my child by others or at programs like Storytime?
Every book that your child completes or actively listens to counts – this includes stories read at Storytime sessions, day care, playgroup and kindergarten, and by all family members, as well as reading the same book over again as mentioned previously.
Premier's Reading Challenge
The Charles Sturt Libraries supports readers who are taking part in the Premier's Reading Challenge, which encourages students to read more books, which in turn fosters a love of reading and improves literacy levels.
The Challenge requires students to read 12 books from the beginning of the school year until the end of week 7, term 3.
If you are looking for books from the book list, inspiration or some book recommendations we are here to help. Check out our page below for more information.
Need help?
Libraries
Call 8408 1333
Email library@charlessturt.sa.gov.au
Follow our Facebook pages Charles Sturt Libraries and Ngutungka West Lakes