The following article was written by Emily Brand, a Marketing Associate with the Manitowoc Public Library, and Olivia Hanf, an MPL Public Services Associate.
Let’s face it—winter in Wisconsin could last another four more months. We’re not trying to jinx anything or be pessimistic! If you’ve spent any amount of time in this area, we can all likely agree on that thought (even if it breaks our collective heart).
But, what if we all had something to do that would keep us relaxed, and our moods boosted and engaged during these cold-weather months? You’re probably wondering what kind of sorcery allows such magic to happen during the coldest and least-sunshiny time of the year?! Well, that wizardry is READING, of course!
The 2025 Winter Reading Program: Warm Up to A Good Book! is open to All Ages and will run from January 12 through February 22. During this time, patrons can keep track of their reading for a chance to win some amazing prizes! To complete the program, make sure to log your 10 hours of reading either in the Beanstack app or by coloring in a paper tracker.
“How do I sign up to track my reading?” you may ask. Well, you can:
Emily Brandt
- Download the “Beanstack” app to your phone or tablet; OR
- Visit Beanstack’s website (https://manitowoclibrary.beanstack.org/reader365) and track you reading on a computer; OR
- Pick up a Paper Tracker at any Service Desk at MP starting January 2
We hope that you’re still with us—because we haven’t yet mentioned the best part! Not only is reading rewarding, we will reward you for reading. Once you have read your 10 hours, make sure to stop back into the library to claim your completion prize and get a raffle ticket! We’ll have Youth, Teen, & Adult prizes ready when you’re done! Also—new in 2025—participants who finish the challenge will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a pretty amazing gift basket.
These raffle baskets (again, for Children, Teens, and Adults) will include a variety of items such as a ball pit, an instant camera, an art set, a board game, a coffee cup with a warmer, and many, many more fabulous prizes! Make sure to stop by the service desk to take a look! Winners will be picked and notified on March 3.
Have we convinced you yet that this program is pretty awesome? If not, we dare you to come to MPL and talk to any of our spectacular staff—they’ll tell you all the reasons why reading in winter is just about the coziest activity you can do! They’ll even help you pick out some books if you’re not sure what to read.
Olivia Hanf
Your reading doesn’t have to be traditional books, either. You could read anything from graphic novels, to magazines, to even audiobooks. Yes, listening to an audiobook counts as well! Audiobooks are a great way to immerse yourself in a story and we have many from which to pick! Next time you are in, take a look at our collection of Books on CD and Playaways. If you are looking to read or listen to your books digitally, Libby is another great resource! There are many options for audiobooks, books, and magazines to be checked-out and read on your phone or tablet.
With all this being said, we hope you choose to participate and Warm Up with a Good Book this winter with Manitowoc Public Library’s Winter Reading Program! And be rewarded for your reading. You never know—you may end up winning something amazing!
