Join the 1,000 challenge

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a year-long early literacy program, through the Cornell Public Library. It was developed by the Winding Rivers Library System in Wisconsin, launched in March 2011, gaining momentum in the following years, and is now a nationwide program, encouraging building language and early literacy skills for children, by reading 1,000 books before they start kindergarten.

“We are so excited to begin offering this program at our library,” said Cornell Library director Denise Korenuk.

To participate, families receive a welcome packet, including a 100-book reading log, which caregivers fill in for every book read with their child.

For books 100 through 900 read together, the child will stop in the library to choose small prizes. When the child reaches the goal of 1,000 books read together, they will be able to choose a free book and bag to take home.

“This program is an excellent way to involve parents and families as powerful personal educators for their children,” said Korenuk. “By having parents as the primary partners in this library program, libraries can extend their early literacy work, right into community homes.”