1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN
What is 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten?
It is a free program designed to help parents and caregivers prepare their children for kindergarten by encouraging them to read together.
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Research shows that building reading habits from birth helps expand your child’s vocabulary and lays a strong foundation for future learning and school success.
Our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is designed to support and encourage families every step of the way—making it easy, fun, and rewarding to help your child develop a lifelong love of reading.
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The program is made possible by the 1000 Books Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions to the 1000 Books Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable under IRS regulations. The Foundation is operated exclusively for charitable, literary, and educational purposes
Why 1,000 Books?
You might be thinking, “Why 1,000 books? We already have so many commitments!” It can sound overwhelming at first—but we promise, it’s both achievable and fun.
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Reading just one book a day with your child adds up to 1,000 books in less than three years. Read three books a day, and you’ll reach that milestone in under a year. Books can be short, repeated favorites absolutely count, and reading together can fit easily into your daily routine—at bedtime, during meals, or whenever you have a few quiet moments.
At its heart, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten isn’t about racing to a number. It’s about sharing the joy of reading, building strong early literacy skills, and surrounding your child with rich language, stories, and quality time—one book at a time.
Program Milestones
In addition to lots of quality time reading together, here's what kids and parents who register can look forward to:
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Add your name to our wall of participants and graduates
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Stickers and prizes every 100 books read
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As your family reaches the 1,000-book milestone, your child will be recognized with a certificate, a book, and a bookmark
Tracking Methods
There are multiple ways that families can keep track of their child's progress in the program. We encourage families to find the method that works best for them.
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Journals
A favorite method for tracking books is using a spiral-bound notebook or scrapbook. These often become keepsakes.
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100 Book Logs
For every book your child reads/listens to, write down the title of the book. These log sheets each contain 100 numbered lines. Many families will keep these log sheets for their scrapbooks and memory boxes. You can find free and fillable PDF logs on this link.
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Digital Apps
If you prefer to track on your phone, consider using the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten App.
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Registration
Register in-person at the Access & Information Desk or by phone at 319-342-3025.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can participate? Any child from birth until they enter kindergarten can participate!
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How long will the program take? The program will take anywhere from a few months to a few years. The program is self-paced and will depend on how often you read together.
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How many of my children can participate? All of them (who haven't reached kindergarten). Make it even more fun and read as a family!
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Does my child need to have a library card? Yes! We do require that all participating children have a library card.
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Does reading the same book multiple times count? Absolutely! In fact, reading the same story over and over again builds confidence and familiarity with words and reinforces that stories are fun!
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What books count? Any book that is read aloud to your child counts! Coming to the library's StoryTime, reading over the phone, and any time a story is read.
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What should we read? Check out this booklist of ideas: Books Your Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten