Written by Miriam Stone, Director

We have a book in our collection that has become a classic for both parents and educators alike. Written by Mem Fox, Reading Magic gives us complete information about how children learn to read and how we can instill in them a lifelong love of books.

Fox contends that “if every adult caring for a child read aloud a minimum of three stories a day to the children in their lives, we could wipe out illiteracy within one generation.” The ramifications of that statement are profound. Caregivers are empowered to help their children develop critical early literacy skills from birth that prepare them for kindergarten and instill in them a love and respect for reading.
To this end, Oley Valley Community Library is once again supporting the program, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Children who have been enrolled in this program are encouraged to continue participating and for those children not enrolled, a new and exciting adventure is awaiting them.

How does it work?

Come to the library and enroll your child. It is for every child from birth through kindergarten or longer. It is free and there is no time limit on how long it takes to complete it. You will receive two recording sheets and you may use whichever one you want. One sheet is to record the name of each book read. The other sheet has circles that you can color in or mark off instead.

Any book counts: storytime books, audiobooks and e-books. Your child will get credit for every book, even those you’ve read before.

When you complete the 50 books log, bring it into the library. Your child will receive a sticker and a coloring sheet as well as a small prize and a new sheet to record the next 50 books. When your child has reached 500 books, they will also earn a free book and when 1000 books are read, they will receive a tee-shirt and a certificate of accomplishment award.

Is it possible to reach 1000 books?

Yes, it is. You can begin reading to your child at birth and read 4 books per week. If you start when your child is one year old, it will take 5 books per week to reach the goal. If you start at age 3, it will take 10 books per week.

To make it even easier you can go digital. Keep track of books on your phone by downloading the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten App on iTunes and Google Play.

The library will have monthly early literacy activity calendars available as well as a recommended list of books for each age group and we are always here to help you.

We are also holding a Preschool Story Time every Friday* at the library from 10:30 to 11:30 am and all preschoolers and their guardians are welcome to attend. These will begin on September 9.

(*Please note that on Friday, September 16, Preschool Story Time will be held at the Oley Fair outside the library booth at 11:30. This is the only event with a different time and location.)