Events
at East Central Regional Library
CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
East Central Regional Library hosts a variety of events, storytimes, and other programs across the region. Check out upcoming events happening near you on the Events Calendar.
ANNUAL EVENTS
East Central Regional Library hosts several reading-focused region-wide events throughout the year. Find information on these events below.
Winter Tales
Read books, write book reviews, and complete reading activity challenges in the Beanstack app for your chance to win prizes!
This program is intended for adults, but patrons ages 12+ are welcome to participate as well.
January 1 – February 28, 2022.
Here’s how it works:
- Register for a Beanstack account online OR register on the Beanstack Tracker mobile app (Android or Apple)
- Enroll in the Winter Tales Reading Challenge
- Start reading books, writing reviews, and completing activities!
For each book review badge you earn, you will receive one entry into the prize drawings at your ECRL branch. For each activity badge you earn, you will receive one entry into the regional prize drawings.
The program is sponsored by East Central Regional Library, local Friends of the Library groups, and other local organizations.
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM
June 1 - August 14, 2021
Stay tuned for information on the 2022 Summer Learning Program!
The 2021 Summer Learning Program at East Central Regional Library will begin on Tuesday, June 1 and run through Saturday, August 14, 2021. This year’s theme is Reading Colors Your World – Reading opens doors to learning and fun! East Central Regional Library hopes you will participate by joining us and readers all across the region this summer!
The Summer Learning Program is open to readers of all ages. Register to participate by visiting your local ECRL branch, downloading the free Beanstack Tracker app (App Store for iOS devices or Google Play Store for Android devices), or by visiting ECRL’s Beanstack online. Readers will be able to sign up, track their reading accomplishments, and earn entries for grand prize drawings all through Beanstack!
ECRL READS
Stay tuned for information on the 2022 ECRL Reads!
2021 ECRL Reads Title: The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson.
Each year we encourage readers across the region to read the same book and come together as a community around that book. We are happy to announce that this year’s book is The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson.
Join us for small group book discussions at each ECRL branch, 3 in-person and 1 virtual author visits with Diane Wilson herself, and fun special events between October 1 and November 30, 2021. Find additional information on the Event Calendar and grab informational brochures and bookmarks at your local ECRL branch.
Author Visits with Diane Wilson as she discusses The Seed Keeper:
Wednesday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. – Aitkin Public Library*
Monday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. – Cambridge Public Library*
Tuesday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. – Chisago Lakes Area Library*
Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. – Virtual Program via Zoom
*Per the author’s request, face coverings will be required at all in-person events.
Past ECRL Reads selections include:
2019 – Virgil Wander by Lief Enger
2018 – The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb
2017 – Ice-Out by Mary Casanova
Interested in reading books similar to Diane Wilson’s The Seed Keeper? Download a Read-Alike guide here.
READING CHALLENGES
East Central Regional Library hosts fun reading challenges throughout the year on the free Beanstack Tracker app. Learn more about the current reading challenges below.
BEANSTACK
Getting started:
Access Beanstack by visiting ecrlib.beanstack.org to view the desktop version, or by downloading the Beanstack Tracker app on your smart phone or tablet.
Current Reading Challenges:
Read for a Better World
January 1- 31, 2022
Join us for Beanstack’s 5th Annual Winter Reading Challenge. This year’s theme encourages readers of all ages to explore diversity, empathy, and action through literature.
In addition to providing free access to all of the eBooks needed for this challenge right inside the Beanstack app itself, the publisher will award book collections, signed books, and virtual author visits to winning libraries and schools!
Enroll in the Read for a Better World challenge in the Beanstack app today!
