What is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten?
The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading initiative is a great way for your child to develop literacy skills during their early years for future success in school. Plus, reading together is a fun way to bond with your child and help them think of reading as a positive experience as they get older.
Who can participate? How do I sign up?
Any child who has not yet entered kindergarten can sign up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. To sign up, simply visit the library and go to our Children’s Services desk on the first floor. When you register your child, you’ll receive a tote bag filled with goodies, as well as a log for your first 100 books. Every child who completes the program receives a certificate and prize.
1,000 books sounds like a lot...can we actually finish the program?
Of course you can! 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is self-paced, so how long the program takes depends on how often you read together. For example:
1 book per day x 3 years = 1095 books
3 books per day x 1 year = 1095 books
10 books per week x 2 years = 1040 book
What counts towards completion?
Anything you read with your child! And it’s okay to read books more than once. Books you own, books you get from the library or read at storytime, or books read on a library platform like Tumblebooks all count toward the program.
How do I select reading materials for my child?
Library staff are always happy to help! We can recommend titles to you based on your child’s age and interests and show you how to use the library’s online catalog so you can also search for titles.
Books Online
BookFlix
BookFlix is an engaging read-aloud experience that pairs animated stories with related nonfiction titles—including many Spanish pairs.
