The BIG Summer Read: A Victorian statewide reading program is back!
Research has identified a phenomenon known as the ‘summer slide’, which refers to the loss of literacy skills over the summer holidays when children do not read—estimated on average as the equivalent of two to three months of reading proficiency. Loss of reading proficiency is most acute in children from economically disadvantaged communities.
Public libraries are in a unique and advantageous position to address the summer slide; studies have found that children who receive and read free books over summer experience the equivalent of attending three years of summer school, with the most economically disadvantaged children gaining the most from such initiatives.
A Victorian approach to the summer reading club/challenges typically offered by public libraries will raise awareness of the benefits of reading over summer and ensures all Victorians have access to resources that have been proven to slow the slide. It also helps position our libraries as vital community resources in early childhood development, helping to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning.
The BIG Summer Read, developed by Public Libraries Victoria (and supported by Yarra Libraries) aims to slow the slide by engaging children and their families in a fun and dynamic campaign supported by Beanstack, a user-friendly website (with an intuitive mobile app) that makes it easy to register, track reading and earn digital ‘badges’ as rewards for reaching reading milestones.
If you've previously used Beanstack to participate in the BIG Summer Read, you will not need to register a new account.
If you've not participated before, you can register at plv.beanstack.org.
What is Beanstack?
Beanstack is an application that incentivises reading and allows users to keep track of how many books/audiobooks have been read.
A mobile app (also known as Beanstack Tracker) makes this easy with features including a barcode scanner and reading timer.
Download (App Store)
Download (Google Play)
Who can participate?
The program is aimed at primary-aged children, but all children under 18 are welcome to participate.
Children under the age of 13 will need their parent's permission in order to register with Beanstack. Parents can use the Family Account feature to track all of their children's reading from a single login.
What are the prizes?
Yarra Libraries members under the age of 18 who participate in the BIG Summer Read will also go into a draw to win the following prizes:
- 1x Roar 'N' Snore Overnight Camp at Melbourne Zoo for your family
- 1x $200 gift voucher to The Little Bookroom (thanks to The Little Bookroom)
- 1 of 10x Family Passes to see Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (©2022 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.) (thanks to Sony Pictures)
To be eligible, members must log their reading during the program dates in the Beanstack Tracker mobile app (or website). Increase your chances of winning by reading and logging more books. Winners will be drawn from a raffle on Monday 13 February and will be notified by email or phone (as provided during registration).
BIG Summer Read is sponsored by Bolinda BorrowBox, SLAV and Public Libraries Victoria.
Check out BIG Summer Read Booklists curated by our librarians!