Lincoln City Libraries launches new reading program
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten encourages families to build early reading habits
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln City Libraries announced a new program Thursday encouraging families to read 1,000 books with their children before they enter kindergarten.
The initiative, called 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, launches Nov. 9, coinciding with the start of Children’s Book Week.
The program aims to help children develop early literacy skills while encouraging families to make reading together part of their daily routines.
For Lincoln parent Celine Lutz, reading is already an important part of her family’s day.
“We read every night with her. She could sit and read, like, ten books with us, and she just learns so much,” Lutz said.
Through the new program, families can track the books they read using paper reading logs or an online platform. Children will earn prizes for every 250 books completed.
Books can come from anywhere, and families can count the same book multiple times if their child wants to hear it again.
“The initiative gives families a simple framework for building a shared reading habit with their children,” said Ali Bousquet, Lincoln City Libraries’ youth services and outreach coordinator.
Beyond earning rewards, reading at a young age can help children build vocabulary, develop language skills and prepare for kindergarten.
Lincoln parent Brendan Carl said visiting the library also helps introduce his children to stories and perspectives they might not otherwise encounter.
“We want to get them to find different stories, different points of view, widen their worldview overall, find books that we wouldn’t have found on the shelf in the store or even at home,” Carl said.
Organizers emphasized that families don’t need to set aside large amounts of time to participate.
“Sometimes it’s five minutes before bedtime. Sometimes it’s the same book for a hundredth time,” said Liz Arnold, owner of Just Like Mine Daycare.
The hope is that even after families reach the 1,000-book milestone, reading together will remain part of their everyday routines.
Families can register for the program beginning November 9 at any of Lincoln City Libraries’ eight branches, through either of its two bookmobiles or online through Beanstack.
Children who complete the challenge will receive a special T-shirt and diploma.
