Readers challenged to set goals this spring

BALLARAT Libraries’ Spring Readathon is encouraging individuals or families to read consistently this season.

Ballarat Library team leader, Julie Stevens said the initiative is challenging people to set goals and carve time out of every day for literature.

“They might be aiming to read a particular number of books through the Readathon, or they might just want to read for a particular amount of time every day,” she said.

“The Readathon is all about building ‘me time’ during the lockdown, focusing on reading for wellbeing and the benefits.

“When we read, we’re switching off from devices for a while, it helps with our mood, and building good habits.”

With facilities closed, Ballarat Libraries has launched an online hub where readers can track their progress. It’s accessible via the free Beanstack app.

“That allows us to maintain connections with library community while we’re closed, and there’s a rewards-based system where readers can set their goals, work towards it, earn badges along the way, complete activities, and hit milestone markers, similar to a fitness app,” Ms Stevens said.

“It’s a safe, private and family friendly platform you can download onto your device. People are really enjoying registering what they’re doing.”

At ballarat.beanstack.com/reader365, adult readers can register individually, or families can sign up together to motivate one another.

“If there are siblings and parents working towards a family goal, it’s a lot of fun, and you can personalise it for whatever you want to achieve.

“The Readathon was for the 30 days of September, but we’ve extended it to the end of November, so there’s more time to get on board,” Ms Stevens said.

Click and Collect and Book Tailor requests can be made via facebook.com/ballaratlibraries.