1000 Books Before School

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: