1000 books before Kindergarten

Program Overview:

The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless.  Read a book to your newborn, infant and/or toddler.  The goal is to read 1,000 books before your child starts kindergarten.  In as little as 15 minutes a day, families can build the skills for future school and life success.

How to get started:

  1. Pick up or download a free 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten Introduction packet.        
  2. Upon completing your first 100 books you will receive a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten book bag. Show a librarian your reading log to get your bag.
  3. Come back every time you have completed 100 books to receive a sticker and your next book log. Remember you can also print the logs from home.
  4. When you reach the 1,000th book goal, a staff member will take your picture to display at USCL’s Reading Hall of Fame to show the achievement you and your child have accomplished.  Your child will also receive a certificate with their picture on it. 

The reading log pages can be picked up at the library or downloaded here: 1-100, 101-200, 201-300, 301-400, 401-500, 501-600, 601-700, 701-800, 801-900, 901-1000. 

Older siblings reading to children participating in 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten will also receive a small prize.  Write you name beside the title every time you read a book to a younger child.  Twenty five books earns you a prize.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who can participate? Any child from birth until he or she enters kindergarten can participate in the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program.
  • Do I have to read books from the library? You can read books from anywhere, not just library books.
  • Can I log the books my child hears at story time? Yes! Any and every book your child hears counts for this program.  Our story times are: Tiny Tots (birth to age 3) Mondays 10 to 10:30, Tuesdays 5:30 to 6 and Wednesdays 11 to 11:30   Preschool Story Times (ages 3 to 6) Mondays 11:00 to 11:30.
  • How long will the program take? The program is self-paced and will depend on how often you read together.

Time to Think:

  If you read one story at bedtime every night for three years you’ll have shared 1,095 books.

  If you read ten books a week for two years, you’ll have shared 1,040 books!

  Reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding. 

  Reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for both of you.