Winter Reads for adults (18+) runs January through February 2026. Read or listen to books, do reviews, and enter to win one of our prizes. We're giving away over 30 Barnes & Noble gift cards throughout the county. Two grand prizes of $50 will be awarded, the rest are $15.

How to Register: You can register online, on the Beanstack Tracker app, or at your library.

If you've done Winter Reads before, or if your family has participated in Summer Reading or 1000 Books Before Kindergarten online, you already have an account. Once you sign in, make sure to sign up for the 2026 Winter Reads program.

Doing Reviews: Reviews can be done using the Beanstack Tracker app or using the paper form. Paper reviews will be ready starting in January. We may use reviews in our social media, though we'll remove identifying information.

Bookmark Contest: We will select three winners (first, second, and third place) from all the entries for a book, library, or reading themed bookmark art contest.

The first-place winner will get a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, their bookmark printed and distributed in the library system, and their original entry framed, plus a certificate. Second place gets a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card, and third place a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card.

One entry per person. You must use our form, available here and in the libraries.

Note that by entering this contest, you confirm that your entry is an original work, created entirely by you. Entries must not be plagiarized, copied, or made with assistance from other sources. Any evidence to the contrary will result in immediate disqualification.

Programs: Here's all the details about our Winter Reads events and programs. See more on Winter Reads throughout the Twin Cities here.

Prizes

• While supplies last, you get prize of a headband earwarmer for registering for the program.
• When you turn in your first review, you receive a coupon for a free item (up to $1) from any book sale at any Carver County Library location (either the ones at the libraries at all times, or the larger ones) good through 2026.
• We will draw for the Barnes & Noble prizes in March from all entries received by the end of the program. Winners will be notified by email or phone call.
• All prizes must be picked up in person at a Carver County Library by the end of March 2026.

Prizes are funded by our Friends of the Library groups, Library Foundation of Carver County, and MELSA. We thank them for their support.