Ready 2 Read: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

What is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a fun, early-literacy focused project that challenges families and caregivers to read 1,000 books to their children before they start kindergarten. This program focuses on helping children develop early literacy skills, empowering parents, families, and caregivers to be their children's first teachers, and encouraging quality family time in a fun and engaging way.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten was originally created in Nevada, and has since spread across the nation, with programs flourishing in all kinds of communities.

How Does It Work?

Public libraries can create their own 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program to help encourage all pre-K children in the community and their families learn to love reading and strengthen their early literacy skills. To start a program, you will need:

• A Tracking Method for Books
• A theme (not required, but helpful for planning)
• Support for families participating in the program: This can be anything from prizes to reaching certain book milestones to early literacy tips to beefing up your children's collection or just giving book recommendations!

There are TONS of examples of public libraries who have started this program, and it works in libraries of all shapes and sizes, due to how customizable it is. There are also great ideas for themes, too, that are fun to look through!

Participating Libraries In Montana

Here is a list of libraries that have started a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program in Montana:

• Billings Public Library: 
  • BPL Webpage on 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
• Lewis and Clark Library: 
  • Lewis and Clark Webpage on 1000 Books Before Kindergarten 
• Glacier County Library: 
  • Newspaper Article on Program Launch 
• Sidney-Richland County Library:
  • Newspaper Article on Program

Other Resources

• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Website: You can find example program templates, reading logs, and instructions under the "How It Works" page, as well as read more about the program itself
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Materials from Demco
• Examples of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Programs in the US:
  • Menomonie Public Library (WI)
  • Missouri River Regional Library (MO)
  • Idaho Falls Public Library (ID)
  • Shaker Library (OH)