Cobar Library is encouraging young families to make a goal of supporting their children to read 1,000 books before school.
Cobar Shire Librarian Jane Siermans said the 1,000 Books Before School program is operated by libraries to promote and celebrate reading.
“One of my staff members saw the program at another library and wondered if we could do it,” Jane said.
“The program is a great opportunity for parents to get their child school-ready.
“Reading together is the best way to encourage a love of books in children.”
The 1,000 Books Before School program encourages parents to spend time sharing books with their little ones while building early literacy skills.
“They keep a record of the books shared with their children in their pre-school years, and aim to reach 1,000 before they turn six.”
Reading their favourite 50 times can count as reading 50 books!
“After every 50 books (a full reading log), they can pop into the library to receive a reward and collect their next reading record sheet,” Jane explained.
Extra-special rewards have been created for the milestones of each 100 books reached right up to 1,000.
“We are celebrating reading, not trying to set up hurdles to completion, so every book the child completes, or actively listens to, counts.
“This includes stories read at Library Storytime, daycare, playgroup, as well as reading the same book (or audiobook) over and over again,” Jane said.
They can count books they’ve read anywhere—not just library books.
The program finishes once the child reaches 1,000 books, or turns six.
To sign up, families just need to visit the library.
Participants will receive a library bag and their first reading log (for 50 books).
You don’t have to be a library member and the program is free.
Jane said while some of the bigger libraries who have signed up for the program use apps to log children’s reading, that’s however not a cost the Cobar Library budget can cover.
“Every library is free to run the program in the way that suits them,” she said.
Jane’s thrilled to have already had four local children sign up for the program and she hopes more families will get on board and encourage their children to read 1,000 books before school.
