Winter Reading Program

Steep Yourself In Stories

2025/2026 Reading Program - December 15th through February  14th

The North Manchester Public Library’s Winter Reading Program is back! Cozy up with a warm drink and a good book, and let the magic of winter reading bring joy and comfort to your season.

Open to kids, teens, and adults, this program rewards you for doing what you love - reading! For every hour you read, you’ll earn tickets for a chance to win fabulous prizes donated by our amazing local businesses.

NMPL is also excited to announce the return of the collaborative Paint by Sticker poster at the library! As readers log hours, they’ll earn stickers to add to the poster. The image starts as a mystery and it builds as everyone adds stickers to create a surprising masterpiece.

Winter Readers are encouraged to read titles of their own interests in their preferred format at their own pace. Readers can even count books they read to others!

How to Sign Up

Once the reading program begins, participants can sign up via the FREE Beanstack app. Be sure you've got the Beanstack app downloaded on your phone beforehand, so you'll be ready to go!

• If You Are Signing Up On Your Smart Device: Download the Beanstack Tracker app from your app store. Simply search for North Manchester Public Library then follow the sign in steps to begin! You can sign up yourself or your family members. Once Winter Reading starts, the Steep Yourself in Stories program will appear on your app home page.
• If You Are Signing Up On Your Desktop: On December 15th, visit the NMPL Beanstack Website and simply follow the sign in steps to begin! You can sign up yourself or your family members. Once Winter Reading starts, the Steep Yourself In Stories program will appear on your app home page.

Prizes

• $20 The Coop/Manchester Alive Gift Certificate - Score a $20 gift certificate to The Coop, a vibrant community hub and small business incubator right in downtown North Manchester! Use it to support local makers and discover unique finds around town.
• $10 Handsome Devil Barber Shop Gift Certificate - Two lucky readers will win a gift certificate from The Handsome Devil (608 W Main Street)! This is the place to go for Fades (35 minutes), Flattops (35 minutes), Haircuts (25 minutes), Beard Trims (10 minutes), or even Kids' Haircuts (25 minutes). Get those tickets entered because this is a great reward!
• $10 Manchester Fellowship of Churches Thrift Store Gift Certificate - There are so many treasures just waiting to be discovered at the newly remodeled Manchester Fellowship of Churches Thrift Shop (located across the street from the library at 410 N Market Street). 2 lucky readers will enjoy a shopping spree with a $10 gift certificate - the hard part will be deciding which fantastic items to buy!
• $125 Boocher's Automotive Detailing Gift Certificate - Boocher's Automotive Detailing (located at 811 West Main Street) is treating THREE winter readers to an auto detailing. This was one of the hot items of last year's Winter Reading program so you better start reading up a storm if you want a shot at winning this one and giving your vehicle some much needed TLC!
• $15 Nordmann's Nook Gift Card - A $15 gift card to the most popular bakery in town? Yes, please! Nordmann's Nook (located at 1106 SR-114) serves up delicious baked goods all week long. It's hard to beat the taste of their pies . . . and cookies . . . and muffins . . . and, well, you get the idea!! Whatever you pick, you'll be delighted if you win one of two gift cards Nordmann's donated to Winter Reading.
• $20 Blue Bird Café Gift Certificate - Located at 15 North Main Street in Laketon, the Blue Bird Café is a charming place to grab a delicious American-style breakfast or lunch surrounded by friendly people!
• $20 Keela Coffee Gift Certificate - Located at 115 E Main Street, Keela Coffee is a great place to grab coffee, bagels, matcha, cinnamon rolls, and chillers! This gift certificate is just right for satisfying your caffeine and sweet cravings while you browse the many wonderful downtown shops.
• $25 El Volcan Mexican Restaurant Gift Certificate - El Volcan (located at 1406 SR-114) is serving up a delicious meal for one lucky Winter Reader! Satisfy your craving for Mexican food with this $25 gift certificate. Enchiladas, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, fajitas are all on the menu! You'll leave satisfied.
• $10 Keyhole Pizzeria Gift Certificates - Pizza lovers rejoice! We’ve got five $10 gift certificates to Keyhole Pizzeria — perfect for grabbing a slice (or a whole pie!) with friends.
• $25 L. A. Hair Gift Certificate - Our friends at LA Hair (located at 102 North Market Street) are ready to pamper you with awesome hair products, a cut, extensions or whatever you want to feel fabulous. They serve men, women and children - all ages will want to read for this prize!
• $25 Mr. Dave's Gift Certificate - Dive into a fabulous lunch or dinner from Mr. Dave's Restaurant (located at 102 E Main Street). They have an array of burgers, sandwiches and sides that are sure to satisfy your hunger. And don't forget to top it off with a sweet treat from the dessert menu!
• $25 Gift Card to The Olive Branch from Premier Body & Paint Specialists
  Our amazing friends at Premier Body & Paint Specialists (103 N Wabash St) have donated a gift card to The Olive Branch in Winona Lake. Located at 1003 East Canal Street, this is the PERFECT prize for a foodie! With more than 100 varieties of extra virgin olive oils and balsamics, we know you’ll find what you’re looking for at The Olive Branch. Products have expanded to include a variety of wine vinegars, unique spice blends, sauces, marinades, locally sourced dry goods and baking mixes, along with kitchenware!
• $25 Rocket Fizz from Premier Body & Paint Specialists
  Our amazing friends at Premier Body & Paint Specialists (103 N Wabash St) have donated a gift card to Rocket Fizz -the most amazing candy store around! Located in Winona Lake (1005 East Canal Street), Rocket Fizz is your one stop shop for all of your soda pop and candy cravings. There are thousands of bottled soda pops and candies from all over America, and the world. Indulge your sweet tooth with this sugary prize!
• $25 Travel Bee Gift Certificate - Buzz on over to 101 E Second Street and let our friends at The Travel Bee froth up a delicious matcha, latte, mocha or chai! Not in the mood for a hot or cold drink? Grab a soup or sandwich (or both!) for lunch. The Travel Bee is a coffee house experience that opens new doors for an inclusive community. They advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provide employment opportunities. We couldn't be more pleased to have their support for Winter Reading!
• $25 Victory Bookstore Gift Certificate - Win one of two $25 gift certificates to Victory Bookstore (located at 112 West Main Street)! Browse their selection of books, greeting cards, chocolate, music and movies. Don't see what you need? They'll order if for you!
• $25 Volt Family Fun from Premier Body & Paint Specialists
  Our amazing friends at Premier Body & Paint Specialists (103 N Wabash St) have donated a gift card to Wabash's new space: Volt Family Fun!  Enjoy laser tag, the interactive Pixel gaming floor, or the arcade game room.  Located at 122 Hale Dr in Wabash, this is a much closer location for North Manchester natives than other options in our area.
• $40 El Mezquite Gift Certificate - Dinner's on El Mezquite (located at 402 Wabash Road)! Satisfy your craving for your favorite Mexican dish with a certificate to this long-time local favorite.
• $50 Manchester Mix Gift Certificate - Loaded Tea Bombs, No Bake Cookies, Protein Coffees, Oatmeal Bowls, Immunity Shots and Protein Balls are all part of the deliciously energizing lineup at Manchester Mix (226 East Main Street)! With plenty of flavors to choose from, you will LOVE using this gift certificate to treat yourself to a boost.
• $50 Sandwich Cellar/Timeout Inn Gift Certificate - More than just a place to get sandwiches - though they have those, too - this is a great place to grab lunch or dinner with some delicious sides. Enjoy time with your family playing arcade games downstairs. If you haven't checked out this local favorite, now is your perfect opportunity! This gift certificate from the Sandwich Cellar/Timeout Inn (located at 403 N SR-13) is a real treat!
• $50 The Service Station Gift Certificate - The Service Station (301 E Main Street) has donated a full service oil change to Winter Reading! This is a fantastic opportunity to get your vehicle tuned up. Maybe you have Spring Break adventures or Summer travels coming up. Ensure your vehicle is ready for the miles ahead - Bill will have your vehicle serviced in no time!
• $75 gift certificate from Frantz Lumber and Hardware - Located at 109 N Washington Street, Frantz Lumber is the place to go for big town selection with small town service! Tackle your home improvement projects with confidence, knowing there's a great team of locals ready to advise and connect you to just the right supplies.
• Chris & Company Barber Shop Free Haircut - Step in the doors of 221 E Main Street and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere while Chris & Co pamper you with a free haircut. With many years of experience, Chris is ready to help you meet your hair goals!
• Dino-Light family 4 pack of tickets to the Honeywell Center - ***Important: Dino-Light will take place on Saturday, February 28 @ 7:30 pm at the Honeywell Center in Wabash*** 1 lucky reader will win a four pack of tickets to take a crew to see this exciting show! About the Show: A famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love. This glow-in-the-dark adventure is visually stunning and has been praised for its cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance by audiences all over the world.
• Free Mini Facial from Modern Impressions - Enjoy a free facial by Sydney of the talented crew at Modern Impressions (129 E. Main Street)! This is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. If your skin needs a boost after battling winter dryness and cold, make sure to enter some of your reading tickets in this drawing!
• Friends of the Library 1 Year Non-Resident Library Card - Live outside the city limits? No problem! Friends of the Library is sponsoring 1 year non-resident cards to the North Manchester Public Library. Five lucky readers will finish out winter reading with a library card to the best library ever. This is a book lover's dream come true!
• Gen X Salon Free Haircut - Treat yourself to a fresh look with a free haircut from Gen X Salon — a local favorite for styling and self-care.
• Hawaiian Tan $50 Red Light Therapy Gift Card and Lotion - Hawaiian Tan (located at 106 N Washington Street) is giving away a $50 gift card for Red Light Therapy sessions paired with an 18 ounce Eternal Youth Red Light Collagen Moisturizer! Curious about Red Light Therapy? This is the perfect opportunity to try it out and experience the skin benefits for yourself.
• Himalayan Salts & Scents Salt Cave Session for 2 - Nothing beats time in a warm salt cave when chilly winter winds blow! Himalayan Salts & Scents (located at 3114 E US Hwy 30, Warsaw) has donated coupon pairs so you can bring a friend! Each 30 minute session takes place in their therapeutic salt cave. Grab your bestie and relax on comfy chairs with your feet resting on warm pink salt lamps!
• J Morbitzer Photography Mini Session - Capture special moments with family, friends, or pets during a mini photo session with J Morbitzer Photography! Session includes: One 30 minute photoshoot 30 to 35 edited photos & photo print release for a $150 value
• Lambert Auto Repair & Service Full Oil & Filter Change - It's a great time to get an oil and filter change to make sure your vehicle has what it takes to get you through the rest of the winter! Lambert Auto Repair & Services (located at 508 W. Fifth Street) is ready to take excellent care of your vehicle!
• A pair of season tickets to the Manchester Symphony Orchestra - Manchester Symphony Orchestra offers season tickets that can be used for the remaining two concerts of its 87th season:
  • Invocation at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 in Manchester University’s Cordier Auditorium, featuring choirs from Wabash and Allen counties.
  • Take Flight at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3 in Honeywell’s Eagles Theatre, presenting the world premiere of “The Flock” composed and performed by guest artists Warren & Flick. Make it a family outing: As part of the MSO’s education outreach, admission to these concerts is free for everyone 18 and younger, as well as all Manchester University students and its employees!
• Mostly Books "Masterpieces of Mystery: The Grand Masters" selected by Ellery Queen and "Magic Eye: A New Way of Looking at the World" by N. E. Thing Enterprises - Cozy up with a delightful selection of mysteries in this beautifully bound book from Mostly Books (located at 111 E Main Street) ! Then trick your brain out with wild illusions from "Magic Eye." They've even included a couple of handmade book marks so you won't lose your place!
• NOMA Yoga Classes - Enjoy 2 weeks of unlimited classes with NOMA Yoga! Located at 603 Bond Street, the studio is giving away gift certificates to three lucky readers! If you've been wanting to re-engage in your practice, this is the prize for you. If you're a novice and want to test it out before fully committing, this is the prize for you. NoMa Yoga offers a variety of classes that will match any level of experience. Owner & E-RYT200 instructor LeighAnne brings a deep understanding of the body-mind connection into each yoga session, offering her students a space to practice yoga and the freedom to learn & connect with themselves.
• O'Reilly Auto Parts Car Wash Pack - O'Reilly (located at 1506 SR-114) has provided everything you need to keep your car sparkling clean and free of corrosive elements. This Chemical Guys Wash & Shine Essential Car Cleaning Kit comes with 10 essential products that will have your vehicles sparkling clean in no time!
• Quality Quick Lube Full Service Oil Change - Give your vehicle a quick tune up with a trip to Quality Quick Lube (located 701 W Main Street). This certificate entitles the winner to a full service oil change with a 27 point inspection (a $49.95 value)!
• Rhinestone & Roses Gift Basket from Rhinestones & Roses - Win a curated gift basket from Rhinestones & Roses including a cozy hat, fun socks, and a stylish drink tumbler — perfect for winter days.
• Strauss-Peabody Aquatic & Fitness Center Day Pass - Diving boards, a water slide, a hot tub, and more. There's plenty of fun to be had with a day pass from the local pool (located at 902 N Market Street)! 5 lucky winners will enjoy splashing around for free
• The Whatnot Thrift Shoppe - Score a dart gun, a My Hero Academia wallet, or a classic Star Wars action figure - great for collectors and fun lovers alike!

Winter Reading Sponsors

Our Winter Reading Program wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local businesses and organizations. These community partners help us bring the joy of reading to all ages, provide exciting prizes, and enable us to create programs and events that warm hearts and minds throughout the winter months. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to supporting literacy, learning, and connection in North Manchester - thank you for helping us make winter reading an adventure for everyone. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Visit our Sponsorship page to get started!