Pasadena Library Offers Free Burgers for Reading
Children ages 4 to 12 can earn a free In-N-Out burger by completing a reading challenge at Pasadena libraries.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings
The Pasadena Public Library runs its Cover-to-Cover Club, letting children earn a free hamburger or cheeseburger at participating In-N-Out Burger locations by reading five books or 300 minutes. The challenge ends Saturday, November 14, and ten library branches remain open while the Central Library stays closed.
Why it matters
The program is designed to promote literacy, build strong reading habits and encourage reading as a fun and rewarding activity for local children. It also offers families in Pasadena a concrete incentive while the Central Library remains closed for construction.
Children must read five books or 300 minutes to earn one free burger, and each child can earn up to three awards. Participation totals and redemption counts were not reported, and the program's total cost to In-N-Out or the library was not disclosed.
The players
Pasadena Public Library
The city's public library system, which operates ten open branches and oversees the Cover-to-Cover Club reading program for local children.
In-N-Out Burger
A California-based fast-food chain that provides the free hamburgers and cheeseburgers redeemed by children who complete the library's reading challenge.
The details
Families register online through the Pasadena Beanstack site or with library staff, and children pick up a reading log at any branch. After reaching the reading milestone, children return to the library to receive an Achievement Award Meal Card redeemable for a burger at participating In-N-Out locations.
Timeline
The Cover-to-Cover Club challenge began October 3.
The program ends Saturday, November 14.
All Pasadena libraries will be closed Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day.
The entire Central Library construction project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Business Context
Partnerships between public libraries and fast-food chains for reading incentives follow a recurring model used across several California systems. Orange County, San Diego and San Bernardino County have each run similar reading programs, with San Bernardino County's spring session spanning 32 branches.
Children ages 4 to 12 can earn a free burger by reading five books or 300 minutes before the challenge closes on November 14. Families should note that all Pasadena libraries will be closed Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day, and the Central Library at 285 E. Walnut St. remains unavailable for in-person visits.
The takeaway
Families can get children reading by enrolling early and tracking progress with the reading log available at any branch. Planning around the November 11 library closure will help ensure milestones are reached before the November 14 deadline.
What happens next
The Cover-to-Cover Club challenge closes Saturday, November 14, when children must have completed their reading milestones to redeem rewards.
Further reading
Explore more local shifts in the Openings & Closings section for Pasadena.
More information
Register your child through the Cover-to-Cover Club online registration on the Pasadena Public Library's Beanstack site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pasadena Now.
