One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten relaunches

HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) - The Hastings Public Library was proud to announce the relaunch of a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten on Feb. 1.

“It is an early literacy program where we encourage kids and families to read as many books as possible before kindergarten.” Samantha Rundle, the programming librarian for the Hastings Public Library, said.

Research shows that sharing books, conversations, and songs with young children builds language skills. This type of sharing contributes to children’s healthy development, encourages parent and child bonding, provides skills children need to succeed in school, and helps assure they become lifelong lovers of books.

The library wants to bring families together to promote vocabulary development and other skills that children may need when beginning school. This program will give young kids the chance to build their language skills and their book collections.

Every time a child finishes 50 books they will be rewarded with a prize that ranges from buttons, books, and gift certificates to various stores around Hastings. Their names will also be permanently displayed over the tree on the second floor.

”All of the children by the time that that they’re finished have a collection of books at their home so we give away books and gift certificates and things but then that’s where this tree comes in because as children accomplish their thousand books they will have a permanent installation of their name on the wall,” Rundle said.

The library encourages parents to read the same books several times as repetition helps to build skills, allows kids to pick up new information, and enables young readers to connect themselves to the story.

Each child will receive a tote where they will be able to store books that they can take to and from the library. All of their progress can be tracked through an app called BeanStack that allows a person to virtually scan in all the books they have read.

For more information on how to register click here.