The Atlantic County Library System is excited to endorse the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge. The goal of this program is to promote literacy and instill a life-long love of reading in your child. The concept is simple: read 1,000 books (any books) to your infant, toddler, or preschooler before she/he starts kindergarten.
How it works:
- Start: Register your child, ages 0-5, at any Atlantic County Library System branch to receive instructions and a reading log.
- Read: Any book -- new books or repeat books. If you read just 1 book a night to your child, they will have heard approximately 365 books in one year, 730 books in two years, and 1,095 books in three years.
- Track: Each time you read a book with your child, record it in the reading log or app. All books count, even ACLS storytime titles.
- Celebrate: Mark each milestone. Upon completion, your child will be presented with a certificate.
For more information about the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge and reading suggestions, talk to any Atlantic County Library System staff member.
Printable Instructions
Many of Atlantic County Library System branches offer Storytimes and play dates throughout the year. Choose a location for dates, hours and registration information. Check back often to see upcoming reading times and special events.
Brigantine | Egg Harbor Township | Egg Harbor City | Galloway Township
Hammonton | Mays Landing | Pleasantville | Somers Point | Ventnor
Stories, Stay and Play
Support your child's early literacy skills by joining Miss Bonnie and her crew to hear stories, sing songs & make a quick craft. Stay and play in the Brigantine branch kids' room afterwards.
- Fridays; January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, and March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1 1/2 - 3. Siblings welcome.
Play Date at the Library - Reading Readiness
Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs with your little one. Designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Mondays; January 7, 14, 28, February 4, 25, and March 4, 11, 18, 25
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months.
Valentine's Day Craft & Storytime
Create a special door hanger for you or your favorite person. Decorate any way you like!
- Tuesday, February 12
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 4 - 10 years.
St. Patrick's Day Craft & Storytime
Join us for a St. Patrick's Day craft and storytime. Make a rainbow in a jar with many different colors.
- Tuesday, March 12
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 4 - 10 years.
Baby Read & Play Baby Storytime
Bring your child out to enjoy songs, puppets, fingerplays, simple crafts, snacks & of course, books!
- Mondays; January 28, February 4, 25, and March 4, 11, 18
- Wednesdays; January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 13, 20
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 6 months - 2 years and their parents.
Preschool Storytime
Come out to hear stories, play games, do crafts & have fun!.
- Tuesdays; January 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 12, 19
- Thursdays; January 31, February 7, 14, 21, and March 7, 14, 21
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Bedtime Storytime
Come out to read books, do crafts, eat snacks, and have fun before bedtime.
- Wednesdays; January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 13
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3 - 5 years.
Furry Buddies
Read a story to Cody, Erin, or Freedom--therapy dogs who love sharing stories with children. Learn about the benefits of reading aloud to a therapy dog.
- Tuesdays; January 8, 22, February 12, 26, and March 12, 26
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration requested, but drop ins welcome.
- Suggested for ages up to 6-14.
Preschool Storytime
Enjoy listening to fun stories & making a cool craft!
- Tuesdays; January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 12, 19 from 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Wednesdays; January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 13, 20 from 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Toddler Storytime
Bring your little ones to hear stories and sing songs!
- Wednesdays; January 8, 22, February 6, 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 13, 20 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Thursdays; January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7, 14, 21 from 1:00 AM - 2:00 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 1½-3.
Special Sleepy Storytime
Bring your little ones to celebrate the festival of sleep by dressing in their pajamas to this special storytime.
- Thursday, January 3
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 2 - 5.
Sleepy Storytime
Listen to sweet bedtime stories before heading off to bed. Come in your jammies & don't forget your blankie.
- Wednesdays; February 13 and March 13
- 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2 - 5.
Learning Readiness
Each session includes stories, an age appropriate craft, snacks & games.
- Tuesdays; January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 12, 19, 26
- 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Please advise of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
Preschool Learning Readiness
Enjoy listening to fun stories and making a cool crafts!
- Thursdays; January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7, 14, 21, 28
- 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Please advise of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
Furry Buddies
Enjoy stories, rhymes & songs with your little one, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Tuesdays; January 15, February 5, 19, and March 5, 19
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 6-14
Preschool Storytime
Join us for fun stories & a simple craft, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Mondays; January 14, 28, February 4, 25, and March 4, 11, 18 from 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Tuesdays; January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5, 12, 19 from 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Playdate at the Library
Join us for fun stories & a simple craft, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Wednesdays; January 16, 23, 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27, and March 6, 13, 20 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Saturdays; January 26, February 23, and March 23 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Storytime University
Miss Debbie uses the latest books and some old favorites to help introduce new vocabulary and reinforce learning. Children & their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and movement while building language and literacy skills.
- Saturdays; January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3-6.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tot Tales
Stories, songs, a snack & a coloring craft.
- Wednesdays; February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6, 13, 20, 27
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1-4.
- Siblings always welcome.
Read & Play Baby
Bring your little one for a morning of themed stories, songs, stretches, rhymes, puppets, felt boards, finger plays & more. Each story time will be between 30-45 minutes, and may end with parachute play. Designed to develop early literacy skills. Ask how to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program while you're here.
- Thursdays; January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28, and March 7, 14, 21, 28
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months.
