Douglas County Libraries Launch '1,000 Books Before Kindergarten'

The Libraries of Douglas County has announced the launch of the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program.

The libraries will be joining other public libraries throughout Georgia in offering this exciting reading program for children through the age of 5. This partnership with the Georgia Public Library Service and the Institute of Museum and Library Services was developed to increase awareness of the importance of reading to very young children as well as encouraging parents to embrace their roles as their child’s first and best teachers.

“1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” encourages families to read at least 1,000 books to their children before they enter school. Families can sign up as of February, 2015 at the Dog River, Douglas County, and Lithia Springs Library branches.

Each parent will receive a log for their first 50 books to fill out as well as a parent instruction sheet that details the program in full. Each time a log is complete, bring it back to the library for a completion sticker and to receive your next log.

At each 250 book milestones, children and parents will receive a special prize for their devotion to the program. A child’s personal books, books checked out from the library, story times attended, books read in daycare, and repeats of the same book are all included in the count to “1000 Books Before Kindergarten”.

The goal of this project is to help kids enter school ready to learn.

According to County Librarian Lindy Moore, “Studies show that students who are read to are significantly better prepared to start school and learn how to read. In fact, the difference between a child who was read to and one who wasn’t is almost two years. That lag stays with children and can effect reading fluency for years to come.”

The library is open Monday-Thursday 9am – 7pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 10am-4pm. For more information, visit www.wgrl.net or www.facebook.com/dclibraries.

— From Douglas County press release