For 20 years, adult community members in Boone and Callaway Counties have read the same book as part of Daniel Boone Regional Library’s One Read program. To encourage children to discover the joy of reading at an early age, the library is launching a new incentivized reading program for children birth-age 5 during One Read.
“I imagine that if we asked the One Read participants when they developed their love for reading, that they would mention a book or event from their childhood. We’re hoping that through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge we’re cultivating the ‘One Readers’ of tomorrow,” said Sarah Howard, children’s and youth services manager with the Daniel Boone Regional Library. “Through One Read, we’re encouraging adults to read for pleasure and promoting lifelong learning. Through 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, we’re encouraging kids to read for pleasure and building the foundation for lifelong learning.”
Daniel Boone Regional Library joins other libraries and organizations across the country that offer 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenges in their areas. The initiative was started by the 1000 Books Foundation, a Nevada 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that operates nationwide and in Canada.
Families can sign up online and download reading logs or pick them up at the library or bookmobile. Any kind of book counts toward the goal, and families can take as long as they like to complete the challenge. Families can read 1,000 different books, repeat the same books, watch animated picture books or listen to audiobooks. Children earn rewards like free books as they work toward reading 1,000 books. After completing the program, each child receives a kindergarten starter kit that includes items to help the child get ready for school.
“Reading 1,000 books may seem daunting on the surface, but reading one book a day for three years gets you to 1,095 books. That is quite doable and enjoyable,” said Kristy Toplikar, youth librarian and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten coordinator at the Daniel Boone Regional Library.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is supported by the Daniel Boone Regional Library Foundation and the Assistance League of Mid-Missouri. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program name is used with permission from the 1000 Books Foundation.