![](https://mnclibrary.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1000-Books-before-school.jpg)
The 1000 Books Before School program is an early literacy program designed to build important literacy skills prior to starting school.
The program aims to encourage parents and carers to read with their young children to help prepare them for reading at school.
How to get started?
Your child needs to be a library member, so get them joined up at your local library today, then you can start the program by asking a library staff member for your first reading record. You can also participate in the program online through our Beanstack service at mnclibrary.beanstack.org.
Mark, colour or place a sticker on your reading record each time you read together with your child then, when you have read the first 100 books, bring your reading record into your local library and receive your ‘I’m reading 1000 Books Before School’ reading bag and first badge. Each time that you complete a 100 book milestone in your reading record, bring it in to your local Mid North Coast library to receive a merit badge for your bag!
Every book that your child reads or listens to counts. This includes stories read at Storytime sessions, day care or playgroup! We encourage you to use the children’s collections at your local libraries. However, you can read books from anywhere and read them as many times as you want, including books from other 1000 Books Before School partnering library services.
The program finishes once your child reaches the goal of 1000 books, starts school or turns 6, so get started today and get your child school-ready!
Participating Councils:
![](https://mnclibrary.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1000-Books-participating-councils-1024x111.jpg)
Early learning calendar
Calendar of Events
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Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
Storytime – Laurieton
Storytime – Laurieton
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
1 event,
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
1 event,
Storytime – Wauchope
Storytime – Wauchope
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
0 events,
1 event,
Sami Bayly Illustration Workshop
Sami Bayly Illustration Workshop
Join author and illustrator Sami Bayly in a jam-packed illustration workshop where she will give you all the drawing skills you need to create your own nature-based masterpiece. You’ll hear […]
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2 events,
NAIDOC Storytime at Port Macquarie
NAIDOC Storytime at Port Macquarie
Join us for a morning of NAIDOC themed stories and craft activities to learn about and celebrate First Nations cultures and histories. Ages: 3 years and up Bookings not required, […]
DIY Photo Frames Craft
DIY Photo Frames Craft
Take inspiration from nature to decorate photo frames to hold your special memories. Make one for yourself, or maybe as a gift to a friend or family member! Ages: 5 […]
1 event,
Make A Snake Craft
Make A Snake Craft
Create your very own slithering companion at this fun craft session. Colour, cut, paste, and brightly decorate your very own reptile pal. Ages: 3 years and up Bookings essential This […]
2 events,
The Vegetable Plot Concert at Port Macquarie
The Vegetable Plot Concert at Port Macquarie
The Vegetable Plot are back! Rock out with the Vegetable Plot and join the mission of Love and Peas through the power of award-winning music and storytelling! Book in now […]
NAIDOC Storytime at Wauchope
NAIDOC Storytime at Wauchope
Join us for a morning of NAIDOC themed stories and craft activities to learn about and celebrate First Nations cultures and histories. Ages: 3 years and up Bookings not required, […]
1 event,
The Vegetable Plot Concert at Wauchope
The Vegetable Plot Concert at Wauchope
The Vegetable Plot are back! Rock out with the Vegetable Plot and join the mission of Love and Peas through the power of award-winning music and storytelling! Book in now […]
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2 events,
Wonders Of Nature Craft
Wonders Of Nature Craft
Come along to Wauchope Library and make some wonders of nature using recycled materials. What curious creature will you create? Ages: 4-12 years Bookings essential This event is part of […]
Rainbow Rattlin’ Rainstick Craft
Rainbow Rattlin’ Rainstick Craft
Shake shake shake your way to the library to craft your own rainstick. Add bright and colourful accents and decorations to make it your own, and fill your world with […]
1 event,
Corey Tutt – Author Visit
Corey Tutt – Author Visit
Science is Deadly! It's how we make sense of the world around us. Indigenous people have been Australia's first scientists for over 65,000 years. Sit down with Corey Tutt OAM, […]
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Nature Lanterns Craft
Nature Lanterns Craft
Come along to Laurieton Library and decorate your very own little lantern with colourful adornments from nature. Take your creation home and bring light with you wherever you go. Ages: […]
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2 events,
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
Storytime – Laurieton
Storytime – Laurieton
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
1 event,
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
1 event,
Storytime – Wauchope
Storytime – Wauchope
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
Storytime – Laurieton
Storytime – Laurieton
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
1 event,
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Storytime – Port Macquarie Library
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
1 event,
Storytime – Wauchope
Storytime – Wauchope
Join us at your local library for some wonderful stories and great fun. Suitable for ages 3-5 years, with parent/carer.
0 events,
0 events,
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![Samibayly](https://mnclibrary.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/samibayly.png)
Sami Bayly Illustration Workshop
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![Coreytutt](https://mnclibrary.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/coreytutt.png)
Corey Tutt – Author Visit
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THE PORTAL
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3D Printing
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