The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a nationwide challenge that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children. By reading just one book a night, families can reach the 1,000-book goal in three years and provide their children essential early literacy skills.

Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading to children from an early age can help close the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed. Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is available to all families with children between the ages of birth and five years. Registration begins January 8^th and is easy! Simply sign your child up at the front desk and receive your packet of information and extra goodies. Keep track of the books you read (library books, personal books, even books you read over and over again counts each time!). Bring your record every 100 milestone & receive a small prize.

Sign up is simple – stop by the library and sign up your child at the front desk. You’ll receive a packet of information including a reading record and coloring sheet! Then, simply read to your child – library books, personal books, books read to them at preschool (notify their teacher!). Even if they want to hear the same story 10 times, it counts as 10 books! Keep track of the titles on your Reading Record. Visit the library after every 100 books to get your record initialed, pick up a new record and a special sticker. We’ll have special prizes for the 500 book milestone, and of course, the 1,000 book milestone!