Events and Workshops: 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Program Overview

The goal of the program is simple – read 1,000 books (including re-reading favorites). 1,000 books may seem like a lot, but if you just read 1 book per day, that’s 365 books in a year, 730 books in two years, and over 1,000 books in three years.

Reading to children has many benefits. Reading time is valuable bonding time, but it also helps children develop their vocabulary and encourages social, emotional, and cognitive development. Even just 20 minutes of reading a day can help children understand that letters make sounds, sounds make words, and words make stories, preparing them to learn to read once they start kindergarten.

How to Participate

1. Visit the MCC Library (A212) to register and pick up your reading log. For multiple children in the same household, each child needs to have their own reading log.
2. Check out books from the library, borrow book bags from the CLC, or read your own books.
3. Track the books you are reading on your reading log. This includes any books read, including those read by parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, etc. or even e-books and audiobooks from eRead Illinois or other platforms. As children learn to read, they can also add any books they’ve read themselves.
4. After every 100 books, come back to the library to get a sticker (and pick up a new reading log)
5. Once you reach 1,000 books, return to the library to get a certificate of completion and a small prize.
6. Celebrate reading 1,000 books!

Frequently asked Questions

What is the deadline for reading the 1000 books? The child’s first day of kindergarten. Children may start reading at any time and just need to bring back their final reading log before they start kindergarten.

How do I check out books from the MCC library? Anyone over the age of 16 who lives in the college district can get a library card. Just come to the library to get your card. Books for children need to be checked out by an adult.

Does the MCC Library have children’s books? The MCC Library has a collection of children’s books for reading and interest levels of baby to 8^th grade (board books, picture books, chapter books and more). We also subscribe to eRead Illinois which is a collection of e-books and audiobooks available for you to check out and download using your library card. If there is a book you’d like to read that we don’t have available, just ask! We can request the title from another library or purchase it for our collection.