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The Journey of 1000 Books Starts at Douglas County Libraries

February 27, 2018


Douglas County Libraries is excited to launch its 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, a literacy initiative that encourages reading to newborns, infants, and toddlers, and helps establish strong literacy skills and reading confidence from a young age.

“We’re so excited to offer this program because it supports and extends the library’s early literacy efforts beyond Storytime and the library walls,” says Douglas County Libraries Youth Literacy Specialist Laura Olson. “We also hope that the program instills a lifelong love of reading in young children.”

Research shows that the more books children hear before kindergarten, the more prepared they will be to learn how to read. “This is a fun, self-paced way to encourage families to read aloud at home, and it reinforces to parents that they are their kids’ first and best teachers,” Olson says.

Douglas County Libraries makes it easy to start the 1000 Books journey and to track each book read along the way. Every book counts toward the reading goal, including books that are read multiple times (each reading counts) and books read out loud at Douglas County Libraries Storytimes. Reading just one book at bedtime every night for three years is 1,095 books, so it really is possible to read 1,000 books before kindergarten!

Parents can learn more about 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and sign up for the challenge at DCL.org/1000-books. For more information, call (303) 791-7323.
 
Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.