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; April 5 ,12, 26 and May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required
- Suggested for ages 1 1/2 - 3. Siblings welcome.
El Dia De Los Niños
Listen to the story, La Mariposa by Francisco Jimenez, detailing the symbolic ties of a young boy beginning to break out of his shell compared with a pupa emerging from its cocoon. Create a butterfly from silver poster board which will be reminiscent of Mexican tin figures.
- Tuesday, April 30
- 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Registration requested
- Suggested for ages 5-12
Play Date at the Library - Reading Readiness
Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs with your little one. Designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Mondays; April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 13, 20
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months
The Funny Farm @ the Library Storytime
Meet some of the animal residents of the Funny Farm while listening to the book, Farley the Funny Farm Dog by Laurie Zaleski & Matt Reeves
- Saturday, April 27
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Registration requested
- Suggested for all ages
Baby Read & Play Baby Storytime
Bring your child out to enjoy songs, puppets, fingerplays, simple crafts, snacks & of course, books!
- Mondays; April 15, 22, 29 and May 6, 13, 20
- Wednesdays; April 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22
- 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; April 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21
- Thursdays; April 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, 23
- 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; April 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22
- 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; April 9 and May 14, 28
- 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; April 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14,21 from 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Wednesdays; April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22 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; April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Thursdays; April 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, 23 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Registration required for each session
- Suggested for ages 1½-3
Sleepy Storytime
Listen to sweet bedtime stories before heading off to bed. Come in your jammies & don't forget your blankie.
- Wednesdays; April 10
- 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; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21, 28
- 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; April 4, 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- 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; April 2, 16 and May 7, 21
- 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; April 8, 15, 22 and May 6, 13, 20 from 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Tuesdays; April 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 14, 21, 28 from 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
- Registration requested for each session
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5
Playdate at the Library
Enjoy stories, rhymes & songs with your little one, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Wednesdays; April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Saturdays; April 6 and May 4 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested for each session
- Suggested for ages 6 - 36 months
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; April 6, 13, 20 27 and May 4, 11, 18, 25
- 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; April 3, 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- 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. Designed to develop early literacy skills. Ask how to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program while you're here.
- Thursdays; April 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months
