Winter Reads Kicks Off January 1 Across Anoka County Libraries, Culminating in Annual Author Fair

ANOKA COUNTY - The Anoka County Library system rang in the new year by inviting residents of all ages to slow down, bundle up, and rediscover the joy of reading through Winter Reads, a seasonal literacy and engagement program running from January 1 through February 28, 2026.

Designed to encourage both reading and in-person library visits during the winter months, Winter Reads combines digital tracking, community participation, and tangible rewards, while building toward what library officials describe as the system’s signature literary event of the year.

Two Ways to Participate

Library users can take part in Winter Reads through either a digital or in-person option, or both.

Online participation is available through Beanstack, the widely used reading engagement platform. Participants can register at anokacounty.beanstack.com, then join the Winter Reads challenge under “Available Challenges.” Readers log books, submit brief reviews, and earn digital badges. Each badge serves as an entry into a prize drawing, increasing the chances of winning one of three $50 Avant Garden gift cards.

In-person participation is equally straightforward. Visitors can pick up a Reader Rewards card at any Anoka County Library location and receive a stamp each time they visit between January 2 and February 28. As stamps accumulate, participants can redeem them for winter-themed incentives while supplies last.

Winter-Themed Rewards

To add a bit of seasonal warmth, the program offers small but thoughtful rewards intended to make winter reading even more inviting. Available items include a cozy cup of cocoa, a headband ear warmer, and a book tote bag, all distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Library staff note that the emphasis is not on competition but on building routine, encouraging discovery, and reinforcing libraries as welcoming community spaces during the colder months.

Featured Author Fair Returns February 28

Winter Reads will culminate with the 9th Annual Featured Author Fair on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Bunker Hills Activity Center, located at 550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW in Andover.

The event will open with a 10:00 a.m. keynote address by best-selling author J. Ryan Stradal, followed by the author fair itself. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the 2026 Featured Local Authors, learn about their work, and purchase signed copies of their books.

The fair has grown steadily since its launch nine years ago and is now considered the centerpiece of Winter Reads, drawing readers, writers, and families from across Anoka County and the northern Twin Cities metro.

A Seasonal Invitation to Read and Connect

Library officials say Winter Reads reflects the broader mission of the Anoka County Library system: to promote literacy, lifelong learning, and community connection, even during the quietest months of the year.

With multiple ways to participate and a marquee author event anchoring the season, Winter Reads offers residents a simple invitation: read often, visit your library, and make winter a little warmer through stories.

Winter Reads begins January 1. Registration and full details are available through the Anoka County Library website and participating library branches.

MinneapoliMedia