What is Broaden Your Shelf?

The Mammen Family Public Library invites all adults (ages 18 and up) to take part in our annual reading challenge! Join the challenge and track your reading, earn prizes, attend library events, and connect with other readers in our community. Whether you are currently an avid reader or would like to become one, the Broaden Your Shelf Reading Challenge is a great way to build a regular reading habit all year round. The challenge will run from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, but participants are welcome to join the challenge at any time during the year. 

1. Join

Stop by the library each month to pick up a paper bookmark tracker. Each month, we will have a featured theme to help you find something new to read. You are welcome to choose books from the featured theme or choose other books that interest you!

2. Read

Track your reading on your paper bookmark tracker. You can also color and decorate your paper bookmark

3. Win Prizes

At the end of each month, return your paper bookmark tracker to the Library’s information desk  and pick up next month’s bookmark. The Library will keep your bookmark tracker, and at the end of the year, we will draw a grand prize winner. The more bookmarks you turn in during the year (a maximum of 1 per month), the greater your chances of winning!

Reading Inspiration

Each month, we will feature a reading theme to help you broaden your reading horizons. Feel free to read a book from the featured theme or any other books of your own choosing!

January 2024

In celebration of National Hobby Month, read a nonfiction book on a skill or hobby. Turn in your January paper bookmark tracker to the Library’s information desk between January 31, 2024 through February 14, 2024. Visit our January Booklist here. 

 

February 2024
Yee-Haw! It’s time to saddle-up for the February reading theme. This month, read a book with a western theme. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our February booklist here.

 

March 2024
The featured reading theme for March is to read a book that was translated from its original language. Visit our March booklist here. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our March booklist here.

 

April 2024
In honor of Earth Day, celebrate the outdoors by reading a book with nature, environmental, or climate themes. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our April booklist here.

 

May 2024
It’s National Pet Month! Read a book that prominently features a pet or other animal. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our May booklist here.

 

June 2024
In June, we are kicking off this year’s Summer Library Program with the theme “Adventure Begins at Your Library”. Find a book that features a daring adventure. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our June booklist here.
 
July 2024
Celebrate National Culinary Arts Month by reading a book that is food-related. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our July booklist here.

 

August 2024
Did you know Arrr-gust is International Pirate Month? This month, pick up a tale on the high seas. Any ocean related book will do! If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our August booklist here.
September 2024

With back-to-school in full swing, settle into the new school year by reading a book that takes place in an academic setting. For book ideas on this month’s theme, visit our September booklist here.

October 2024

The season of All Hallow’s Read is upon us. Pick up a book that gives you a fright, whether it’s of the mystery, thriller, horror, or true crime genre. If you avoid the scaries, then a cozy mystery will work too! For book ideas on this month’s theme, visit our October booklist here. 

November 2024
In honor of Indie Author Day which occurs each November, read a book by an independent author. If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our November booklist here. Also, check out the library’s local author section for even more ideas on what to read this month!
What is an independent author? Broadly, an indie author is a writer who has a self-published book or a book that was published by an independent press. You can learn more here. 
December 2024

During this busy time of year, you may have just enough time to squeeze in another book! Finish off the year by reading a novella (a book with less than 200 pages). If you would like ideas for books on this month’s theme, visit our December booklist here. 

Library Events

The 2024 Broaden Your Shelf Reading Challenge will also include quarterly in-person events at the library. Stay tuned for details on what we have planned for the year!

In the meantime, check out the Library’s online calendar to see what else we have planned.

See All Events for Adults

More Information

Still want to track your reading on Beanstack? While we are no longer using the Beanstack app to track program participation in the Broaden Your Shelf Reading Challenge in 2024, we do offer the 2024 Leisure Learning Log on Beanstack. Log into your Beanstack app or browser to learn more and to join this challenge!

Looking for a kids’ reading challenge? Check out the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten (1KB4K) program or stay tuned for details on the Summer Reading Challenge, which runs annually from June through August.