Arlington Library Launches 150th Anniversary Reading Challenge

Published on August 31, 2026

By Office of Communication

The Arlington Public Library is inviting readers of all ages to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary with a new community reading event, “Booked for 150: An Arlington Sesquicentennial Reading Challenge.”

The program runs Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026. The challenge encourages participants to read and log minutes using Beanstack, which is available via web browser or mobile app. Read more about how to register using Beanstack.

To complete the challenge, readers log 150 minutes. Each 150‑minute milestone earns a 150th anniversary prize. Rewards include a sticker pack at 150 minutes, a rubber duck at 300 minutes, a reading light at 450 minutes and a commemorative T‑shirt at 600 minutes. Prizes may be picked up at the circulation desk on the first floor of the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library located 100 S. Center St.

The challenge includes awarding commemorative digital badges for the competition of special activities. Those activities consist of visiting a library or park, attending a 150th themed event, reading a book about Arlington’s history from a list provided by the Arlington Public Library, visiting the Arlington Museum of Art’s anniversary exhibit, touring the National Medal of Honor Museum or Fielder Museum, joining the 150th Anniversary Walktober, signing up for the Arlington 150th newsletter, submitting a recipe for the city’s anniversary cookbook or sharing an Arlington memory on the Arlington Listens webpage.

Visit Arlington150.com for more historical articles, photos and events planned throughout 2026.