Beanstack access ends Monday 4 November 2024

Following feedback and a review, we will be discontinuing our subscription to the reading tracker and reading challenge app Beanstack. 

Customers and staff will no longer have access to Beanstack accounts via the Auckland Libraries Beanstack website and Beanstack Tracker app from Monday 4 November 2024.

What does this mean for you?

You will no longer have access to past challenge information including any digital badges earned, or reading logs or book reviews written by yourself or other readers on your Beanstack account. 

Customers who have signed up to receive Beanstack’s emailed reading recommendations will stop receiving these on or before Monday 4 November 2024.

All your account information including any personal data and user-generated content such as reviews and reading logs will be securely deleted by Beanstack after Monday 4 November 2024.

Can I save my own or my kids’ reading logs and reviews before then?

Account holders can print and save their own Beanstack reading logs as PDFs by signing in from the AL Beanstack website and following these instructions: 

• How readers can print their own reading logs – Beanstack Help Center (zendesk.com)

Account holders can request an individual Excel download of their own Beanstack reading logs and/or reviews created up to 30 September 2024. Please contact us with the email address and name attached to your Beanstack account on or before Friday 29 November 2024. 

Requests can be sent to: reading@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Where else can I go for reading recommendations, reviews and to track my reading?

Ask your friendly local library staff for help finding your next favourite read, or visit our website for new and recommended titles, book clubs, reading groups and author talks running in your area, personalised lists from our librarians plus reviews, databases and more.

• Gale Books and Authors – regularly updated database of book summaries, reviews, recommendations and read-alikes across popular genres and subjects. Sign in with your library card and password to get started - search by Author, Genre/Subject, Award Winners, Series, Setting and more.

• Recommended Reads: A selection of booklists for all ages updated regularly by our librarians.

• New Titles: Browse and request newly arrived titles for all ages, interests and formats.

• NEW! On Order: Browse the latest titles ordered – be the first to request and read!

• Book chats: Find a book club, book chat or shared reading group in your area

• My Librarian: Get personalised book lists and reading suggestions in your inbox from our local librarians.

• OverDrive / Libby eMagazines: For reviews, subscribe to a title to read the latest issues of your favourite magazines on your phone or laptop. We recommend the weekly books section of New Zealand Listener, the American Library Association’s Booklist and Booklist Reader for librarians’ reviews and recommendations, and The New York Review of Books and The Paris Review for long-form articles and interviews on literature, arts, science and politics.

Other ways to track your reading 

The following independent platforms are free to sign up and use but may include in-app purchases, paid plan options or advertising. Please read their About Us, Terms and Conditions and Help pages for more info. 

• Beanstack Go

Readers whose libraries do not or no longer use Beanstack can sign up for their own free account on the Beanstack mobile app through Beanstack Go. Beanstack Go allows independent users a limited level of access to log reading, participate in themed reading challenges, and track their reading progress. 

Current Beanstack account holders will need to sign out or reinstall the Beanstack Tracker app and then sign up for a new Beanstack Go account to get started. Current account holders will not have access to their previous Beanstack account information including challenge progress, reading log or reviews via Beanstack Go. 

• Goodreads

Owned by Amazon.com, Goodreads is the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Track, rate and review your reading, connect with friends and browse and add your own reviews and booklists.

• The Storygraph 

Track, rate and chart your reading and choose your next book based on your mood and your favourite topics and themes.

Ask your school about reading programmes

Some schools provide access to programmes and software designed to develop students’ skills and confidence in reading. Ask teachers and school librarians what may be available to support your tamariki and rangatahi.