Want to register your child for summer reading programs at the library but don’t have the time to get up there?

Starting June 1, you will be able to use a new program called Beanstack that will allow you to register online from work or your couch.

“First Regional is the first library system in Mississippi to offer Beanstack, our online service,” said Nancy Opalko, assistant branch manager of the Lafayette County & Oxford Public Library. “We’re hoping to reach more people and make the registration process and summer reading easier for our patrons.”

Beanstack also helps track what is being read and each week it sends readers a personalized email recommending a book and event at the library.

No Internet at home? No problem.

“We will have volunteers and staff ready to help patrons who do not have access to the Internet,” Opalko said. “We have public computers at the library and we will have electronic tablets at the registration table. Beanstack is also a mobile site so it is easily accessible on smartphones.”

Several program available

The library has a wide variety of programming set for the summer, and imaginations will be active and keeping the brain fresh all summer long.

“We have a program every day during the week, except for weekends — some of them include: a pet show, yoga, air-sea rescue missions, puppet shows, Hampstead Stage Theater group presenting ‘Aladdin,’ a puppetry workshop sponsored by a grant from YAC, a spelling bee, arts and crafts programs, and a magic show,” Opalko said.

The theme this summer is “On Your Mark … Get Set … Read! and starts June 1. As an added perk, a double decker bus will roll everyone around who registers from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. that day.

Last year more than 1,000 children and teens registered and the library staff is planning for even more. Opalko said around 15 to 20 kids show up for programs like arts and crafts, and around 200 children show up for programs like Hampstead Stage and the magic show.

“We offer the Summer Reading Program to our community every year in order to promote a love of reading and to help keep kids reading over the summer so they go back to school in the fall hopefully with improved reading levels,” she said.

To register starting June 1, visit firstregional.beanstack.org.