How do I get started with Beanstack?
Visit the Beanstack website or download the free Beanstack Tracker app.
Website: Click on “Register an Individual or Family” button and fill in the information.
App: Choose "School, Library, or Bookstore," then search for DTDL. Tap "Sign up!" and create an account.
If you are a parent registering a child, be sure to enter your information in under “Adult Information.” Beanstack allows families to be linked together, so that all family members can be accessed with one login.
Choose the right challenge for each participant. To enroll in the summer challenge, be sure to choose "Summer Challenge 2024."
Start participating! Log the time you spend reading and complete activities to earn badges.
Once you create a Beanstack account, you can use the same account for all of DTDL's challenges throughout the year (summer program, winter challenge, 1000 Books, etc.).
For an overview of the mobile app, watch our short video tutorial.
How do I log my reading?
The 2024 Summer Challenge requires you to log by minutes, so be sure to log your TIME reading to earn badges!
Website: Click on the orange “Log Reading and Activities” button at the top left of the page. Choose who you want to log for and then “Minutes” or "Books," depending on what the challenge calls for. (NOTE: The 2024 Summer Challenge requires you to log by minutes.) Click on the date that the reading was done and then enter the amount of time spent reading (can be in minutes or hours). You can also use the reading timer to keep track of your reading, add the title and author of the book, and include a review.
App: Tap on the plus sign on the bottom center and choose "Reading." Choose who you want to log for. You then have a few choices. If you want to log the book, you can choose a book you've already started, search for and add a title, scan a barcode or add a custom cover photo, or tap on the three dots in the upper right and manually enter a title. You can then mark the book as completed ("Quick Complete" - note: this feature will NOT count minutes read, so do not use this for a reading challenge that counts time), log reading, or start a timer to keep track of time while you read. You can also choose to log by minutes only without the book title by tapping on the "Log Without a Title" button.
How do I complete activities?
Website: Click on the orange “Log Reading and Activities” button at the top left of the page. Choose who you want to log for and then “Activities.” The next page will show all of the activity badges. Click on one to see the activity options. When you complete an activity, just click on the circle to mark it done.
App: Tap on the plus sign on the bottom center and choose "Activity," then choose who you want to log for. Tap on any of the activity badges to see the activities, then click the checkbox when complete.
What are badges?
Beanstack awards digital badges as you complete levels of a challenge. Some badges also earn you prizes or prize drawing entries!
How do I enter prize drawings?
TICKET DRAWINGS
If the challenge you're enrolled in uses "Ticket" drawings, you get to choose which drawings (prizes) to enter! You can add all your tickets to one drawing/prize or spread them around. You can always go back and change your tickets too. Just be sure to assign your tickets by the end date of the challenge.
Website: If a badge pops up saying you've earned a ticket, click on "Enter a Drawing." You can also view all tickets earned and drawing prizes by clicking on "Challenges" and then the specific challenge you want to view. Under that challenge, click on "Ticket Drawings." To enter a drawing, click on any prize, then "Add/Remove Tickets." You can add as many tickets as you have earned.
App: If a badge pops up saying you've earned a ticket, tap on the badge to view more, then tap on "Ticket Earned." You can also view tickets earned and drawing prizes by tapping the "Discover" button at the bottom of the home screen, then "Challenges," and tapping the specific challenge you want to view. Then tap the "Drawings" button. To enter a drawing, click on any prize and "Add Tickets." You can add as many tickets as you have earned.
NON-TICKET DRAWINGS
If the challenge you're enrolled in uses traditional drawings without tickets, you will automatically be entered to win prizes as you earn badges or points.
Can we sign up and participate as a family?
Yes. An adult in the family can register as the account creator and add other family members (adults and kids) as readers. You can switch between readers using the menu in the upper right corner.
Our family spends time reading together. Can we log reading for everyone at once?
Yes! When you log reading, choose the “All Readers” profile to log that reading for everyone in your family.
Can we keep using Beanstack after a challenge is over?
Yes! You won’t continue to earn badges, but you can keep using the Beanstack website or app as a reading log/tracker. We also offer some ongoing challenges that continue throughout the year.
We have a class/group (child care, summer camp, etc.). How can we participate?
Register for Beanstack using the “Register a Class or Group” button. You can choose to log for everyone in your group at once (easy and simple if they will all be doing the same reading and activities) or individually for each group member. You can also set up multiple groups within one account if you have several different classes of different ages.
I have questions/need help using Beanstack. Who do I contact?
Please call DTDL Youth Services at 517-321-4014 x3, email youth@dtdl.org or use the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the Beanstack page for assistance.
