The challenges offer fun ways to connect with reading and library services. Each time a participant completes four challenges, they get a ticket to enter in one of our great Summer Reading raffles. Participants seem to be having a great time exploring videos on the library’s streaming services, trying new reading genres, sharing books suggestions, and attending library programs!

The prizes make it even better. Ticket holders can enter raffles for seven great summer prizes, including:

*The Dorney Park Prize, with two passes donated by Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom via @DonationMatch.

*The World Heritage Celebration prize, with four World Heritage Tour tickets, books about Bethlehem history, and Moravian star ornaments – all donated by Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites.

*The Take Me Out to the Ballgame Prize, including four tickets to a game donated by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, an insulated cooler bag, and various baseball-related items.

*The Book Lovers Prize, with three popular manga books donated by Manga Lane, a gift certificate to a local coffee shop, and some great items to proclaim your love of reading!

*The Local Luxury Prize, featuring a beautiful bracelet donated by the Shoppe at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, a lovely decorative candle donated by Sharon Gattuso, chocolate bars, and a journal.

*The Lazy Summer Day Prize, which includes a gift card to an ice cream store, a s’mores kit, and fun summer puzzles and books

*The Tech Treasures Prize, connecting a lucky winner to a portable power bank, Bluetooth headphones, and a computer carrying case!

Many thanks to our generous donors who made these prizes possible!

Our challenge takes the form of a “Bookopoly” game board, available at any BAPL library location – even our Bookmobile! Each space on the board features a fun activity that encourages reading, creativity, or trying something new at the library. Each space offers a fun way to connect with reading and library services. You might be challenged to read a book with a yellow cover, try a recipe from a library cookbook, or look someone up using our genealogy databases.

Complete four challenges and earn your first raffle ticket, along with a small treat bag. For every four additional challenges, you’ll receive another raffle ticket—up to a maximum of six.

Raffle prizes this year include seven themed baskets: Book Lovers, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, Lazy Summer Day, Local Luxury, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Tech Treasures, and World Heritage Celebration.

Participants must be 18 or older and reside within the BAPL service area. Only one challenge chart per patron, and 18-year-olds must choose to enter either the Youth Services or Adult raffle—not both.

Stop by and pick up your Bookopoly board to get started. Read, explore, and win—this summer, the library has something for everyone.

The challenges were fun and easy. Some people learned new skills from library books, such as kayaking, cooking techniques, crafts, and computer skills. Others were introduced to our new floor layout at Main Library after our extensive renovations this year! Many people reported bringing a friend to the library or reading a book recommended by a friend. Lots of people discovered new books through the challenges and many people contacted us to say that they had tried online resources for the first time, such as Kanopy or BAPL’s digital postcard collection.

Everyone seemed to feel that the challenges were fun in themselves, but three lucky people also got to claim gift baskets.

Congratulations to:

Brianne Beebe, who won the Kitchen Creations basket

Carmela Cirilli, who won the Get Growing basket (pictured with Olivia M., a winner in the Youth Services Summer Reading Program)

Brenda Rich, who won the On the Road basket

Thank you to everyone who participated!