News Release
Great River Regional Library
GRRL Headquarters:
1300 W. St. Germain St.
St. Cloud, MN 56301
320-650-2500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Breanne Fruth
Communications and Development Coordinator
320-650-2532
Subject: Chill Out and Read Begins January 2
Chill Out and Read! Challenge yourself to read more this season with the Winter Reading Challenge at Great River Regional Library.
The 2026 Winter Reading Challenge begins Thursday, January 2, 2026, and runs through Friday, February 28. This year’s theme is “Chill Out and Read!” Whether reading more is your New Year’s resolution or you want to make the most out of the cold season, the Winter Reading Challenge is here for you. Plus, join the community of library readers and enter drawings for prizes!
“Chill Out and Read” is a reading challenge for teens and adults, anyone in the 6th grade or older, and provides prize incentives to readers to help them settle into cozy winter reading habits. Each of the 32 branch libraries in the GRRL system will have prize drawings for participants. All book lovers need to do is register for the program at a branch library, online at griver.beanstack.org, or on the Beanstack Tracker app.
Readers can track their winter reading using a paper log from their library or our tracker app, Beanstack. By downloading and using the app, readers can keep track of their books, get book recommendations, and earn online badges to help make reading a habit. Count your time spent reading to be eligible for online badges and prizes. Branches will have drawings for special “Chill Out and Read” coffee mugs and winter hats at the end of the challenge.
The library’s first Winter Reading program took place in 2004, and participation has increased every year since. Many of the region’s libraries now host special events designed to support the program and promote winter reading activities.
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs, DVDs, 250 public computers, and information services.
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