This spring, the Atlantic County Library System is excited to launch 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 | Galloway Township
Hammonton | Mays Landing | Pleasantville | Somers Point | Ventnor
Early Literacy Storytime with Miss Bonnie
Support your child's early literacy skills by joining Miss Bonnie and her crew to hear stories, sing songs & make a quick craft.
- Fridays; April & May
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2 - 5.
Monday Baby Read & Play Baby Storytime
Bring your little ones for a morning of stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more.
- Mondays; April & May (does not meet May 28)
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 6-36 month.
Wednesday Baby Read & Play Storytime
Bring your little ones for a morning of stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more!
- Wednesdays; April & May (does not meet April 4 and May 30)
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 6-36 months.
Wednesday Preschool Read & Play Storytime
Come out to hear stories, play games, do crafts & have fun!
- Wednesdays; April & May (does not meet April 4 and May 30)
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Preschool Storytime
Come out to hear stories, play games, do crafts & have fun!.
- Thursdays; April & May (begins on April 12)
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Special Storytime with Guest Tiffany Silva
Join us for a special story time with Tiffany Silva, Miss New Jersey Teen U.S.A. Ambassador 2017 as she reads & sings songs.
- Thursday; April 5
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
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 10 & 24, May 8 & 22
- 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 10, 17 & 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22 from 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Wednesdays; April 11, 18 & 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23 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 make crafts!
- Wednesdays; April 11, 18 & 25, May 2, 9, 16, 23
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 1½-3.
Learning Readiness
Each session includes stories, an age appropriate craft, snacks & games.
- Tuesdays; April & May
- 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 & May
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Please advise of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
Saturday Storytime
Enjoy fun stories, cool crafts, games and, snacks!
- Saturdays; April & May
- 12:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Please advise of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
Junior Prom
Dress your little one up in their finest threads and come enjoy a morning of free play, dancing, and other fun activities.Dress your little one up in their finest threads and come enjoy a morning of free play, dancing, and other fun activities..
- Friday, May 18
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 6 months - 4 years
Furry Buddies
Enjoy stories, rhymes & songs with your little one, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Tuesdays; April 3 & 17, May 1 & 22
- 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, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM; April 9 & 16 and May 7 & 14
- Tuesdays, 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM; April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Play Date at the Library
Enjoy stories, rhymes & songs with your little one, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Wednesdays; beginning April 11 through May
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 6-36 months.
Sensory Story Time
Join us for a songs, stories, movement, and play in this sensory and autism-friendly storytime, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Fridays; April 14 & May 12
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 -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; beginning April 14 through May
- 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3-6.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Toddler Social Hour
Bring your toddler to our social hour to play, read and interact with others.
- Mondays; April 9 and May 14
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1-4.
- Siblings always welcome.
Tot Tales
Stories, songs, a snack & a coloring craft.
- Wednesdays; April and May 2 & 9
- 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.
- Thursdays; beginning April 19 through May
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months.
