Fall Learning Program 2026
This fall, join fellow Mechanics' Institute members for our annual Learning Challenge!
Finishers will receive a prize (choice of Mechanics' Institute tote bag OR notebook and pen while supplies last).
How to participate:
- Grab a physical tracker in the Library or join digitally on Beanstack (http://milibrary.beanstack.com)
- Read or complete activities like attending MI events, playing chess, and more
- Log your progress in your tracker or on Beanstack
- Log 20 hours of reading OR complete 5 activities to complete the challenge, then visit the Library to claim your prize
There will be an ongoing community challenge during the duration of this program. If Mechanics' Institute members total reading hours exceed 200 hours, we will have a celebration with coffee and donuts in the Library.
The Fall Learning Challenge takes place between September 1 and December 3.
Fall Learning Program FAQs
How do I get started?
There are two ways to participate:
- Get a paper tracker from the Library.
- Join on Beanstack, a digital platform for reading challenges. You can use the website or mobile app.
To join on Beanstack, follow these steps:
- Go to Beanstack.com or install the Beanstack app on your phone or tablet
- Beanstack will ask you to find your school or library. Search for Mechanics' Institute
- Fill out the registration form with your information and library card number
- When you have finished logging in, you will see the Mechanics' Institute Beanstack page
- Scroll down to find the current challenges. You can join the Reading Challenge, the Activity Challenge, or both
How do I complete the Challenge?
There are two ways to complete the challenge:
- Complete activities that are listed in the tracker or on Beanstack. Check them off on your tracker when you've done them, or log them on Beanstack
- Read or listen to books for at least 20 hours
How do I log activities?
On the paper tracker, simply fill in the circle that corresponds with the activity you've completed. For example, activity #1 is to access the New York Times All Access with your library card. When you have done this, fill in the circle with the number 1.
On Beanstack, look for the "Log Activites" button at the top of the page. Tap or click on this to log the activity you just completed.
How do I log reading?
Physical tracker
For every hour you read, fill a square at the bottom of the tracker.
Beanstack
On the Beanstack website, click the "Log Reading" button at the top left of the page.
On the Beanstack app, click or tap the + button at the bottom of the screen.
You will then enter the title of the book you want to log reading for, and enter the minutes you've read.