Mark Cuban Pledges $35,000 to Global Reading Challenge for Beanstack Libraries And Their Communities

Participating libraries will use Beanstack, an innovative software that facilitates reading programs for schools and libraries, and makes it easy to track the amount of time and books read. “After doing a storytime for my local library, Dallas Public Library, I became increasingly inspired by the work libraries do for their communities,” says Cuban. “Growing up, my mom used to give me a quarter for every book I read. Through reading programs libraries run with Beanstack, they are providing these kinds of incentives for readers throughout the community. I love the idea that we will encourage readers through a shared, ambitious goal, and that the prize for everyone will be to pay it forward to an awesome organization focused on literacy and access to books.”

Using Cutting Edge Software to Track Reading

The Beanstack software platform, from parent company Zoobean, takes a modern approach to managing reading programs, bringing everything online and making it easy for librarians and readers alike to set up and maintain accounts to track their reading. It can also suggest more titles readers might enjoy based on their interests and reading “doorways.” Cuban became an investor in Zoobean after the founders impressed him with their vision on Shark Tank in 2013. Beanstack currently serves over 600 libraries globally.

“Libraries are the lifeblood of so many communities, and we love having the opportunity to further their work in this way,” says Zoobean co-founder and Chief Client Success Officer, Jordan Lloyd Bookey. Librarians will set up their Winter Reading Challenge programs on Beanstack’s platform, each with its own unique design. Participants will log their time and books read throughout the month of January on their libraries’ individual Beanstack sites.

Prize Money Goes to Support Social Nonprofit First Book

In setting up the Winter Reading Challenge, participating libraries were asked what to do with the prize money. First Book was the nonprofit they selected. Through a sustainable, market-driven model, First Book is creating equal access to quality education — making everything from brand-new, high-quality books and educational resources, to sports equipment and snacks, affordable to its member network of more than 325,000 educators who exclusively serve kids in need.

“Through partners like Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City and the Awty International School, we see that reading incentives that are charitable in nature help to drive participation and engagement,” says Bookey. “The mission of First Book is well-aligned with the work libraries do, so it’s no surprise that our clients voted to give the prize money to that organization!”

Since its founding in 1992, First Book has distributed more than 170 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families.

“I believe that the most powerful force in the world is empathy,” says First Book’s president, co-founder and CEO Kyle Zimmer. “It is truly an honor to be selected by libraries and to have the reward for participants’ reading be to collectively give to First Book — bringing the joy of reading through books and resources to so many more children. What a wonderful way to build empathy and community. First Book is an ardent supporter of libraries and we are thrilled to be part of this program. We will absolutely put that $25,000 to work, serving kids in need.”

Cuban will announce the results of the inaugural Winter Reading Challenge this February.

PARTICIPATING LIBRARIES INCLUDE THOSE LISTED BELOW

Alabama

• Homewood Public Library

California

• City of Commerce Public Library
• Huntington Beach Public Library
• Monrovia Public Library
• Woodland Public Library

Colorado

• Bud Werner Memorial Library

Delaware

• Dover Public Library
• New Castle Public Library

Florida

• Orange County Library System
• Sarasota County Library System
• Winter Park Public Library
• Yokosuka MWR Library

Georgia

• Marshes of Glynn Libraries

Hawaii

• Hawaii State Public Library System

Illinois

• Aurora Public Library
• Forest Park Public Library
• Jerseyville Public Library
• Matteson Area Public Library District
• Oswego Public Library District
• Plainfield Public Library District
• Schaumburg Township District Library
• Wauconda Area Library

Indiana

• Allen County Public Library
• Hamilton East Public Library
• New Albany-Floyd County Public Library

Iowa

• Des Moines Public Library
• Musser Public Library
• Waukee Public Library

Kentucky

• Daviess County Public Library

Maryland

• Calvert Library
• Charles County Public Library
• Howard County Library System
• Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
• Wicomico Public Libraries

Michigan

• MacDonald Public Library

Mississippi

• First Regional Library

Missouri

• Christian County Library

Nebraska

• Keene Memorial Library
• Lincoln City Libraries
• Ralston’s Baright Public Library

New Jersey

• Alexandria Township School District
• Clark Public Library
• East Rutherford Memorial Library
• Englewood Public Library
• Fort Lee Public Library
• Montclair Public Library
• Norwood Public Library
• Nutley Public Library
• Paramus Public Library
• Roxbury Public Library
• Teaneck Public Library

New York

• Berne Public Library
• Crandall Public Library
• Guilderland Public Library
• Huntington Public Library
• Lakeview Public Library
• Liverpool Public Library
• Valley Falls Free Library

Nevada

• Carson City Library

North Carolina

• Durham County Library
• John L. Throckmorton Library

Ohio

• Muskingum County Library System
• Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library

Oregon

• McMinnville Public Library

South Dakota

• Yankton Community Library

Tennessee

• NAF Atsugi Station Library
• The Brentwood Library

Texas

• Balch Springs Library & Learning Center
• Crowley Public Library
• Dallas Public Library
• K-16 Air Base Library
• Mesquite Public Library
• NAS Fort Worth JRB Library
• Prosper Community Library
• Schertz Public Library

Virginia

• Alexandria Library
• Arlington Public Library
• Dahlgren General Library
• Suffolk Public Library

Washington

• Mount Vernon City Library

Wisconsin

• Kenosha Public Library
• La Crosse Public Library
• Menasha Joint School District

International

• Camp Walker Library (SOUTH KOREA)
• CFA Chinhae Library (SOUTH KOREA)