What is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

Our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program encourages parents, grandparents, and caregivers to read to their children on a regular basis from an early age. It is a self-paced, ongoing program that is open to any child from birth to five years old, who has not started kindergarten. 

1000 seems like a large number (and it is!), but…

• If you read 1 book per day for 3 years, you'll have read 1095 books.
• If you read 10 books per week for 2 years, you'll have read 1040 books.
• If you read 3 books per day for 1 year, you'll have read 1095 books.

Reading promotes listening skills, enhances language development, stimulates the imagination, and instills a love of books and learning. 

How it Works

1. Sign up at the Circuation Desk and pick up a starter sheet. This self-paced program runs continuously. 
2. Color in a space on the reading log for every book read together.
3. Any reading or listening counts – count books read aloud by a parent, caregiver, sibling, or anyone else.
4. Count a book each time it’s read, even if it’s repeated.
5. Count books read at storytime.
6. When the log is completed, bring it to the Circulation Desk for a sticker and picture with milestone marker.
7. When all ten logs are completed they will receive their very own book to keep! You also have the option of having the Library dedicate a new library book in their honor!  
8. Have fun reading!

Reading Log available for download at the bottom of this page.

Enrollment Form

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Log

You may download a copy of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Log here or stop in the library for a copy.