The Atlantic County Library System is excited to promote 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 City | Egg Harbor Township | Galloway Township
Hammonton | Mays Landing | Pleasantville | Somers Point | Ventnor
Stories, Stay and Play
Support your child's early literacy skills by hearing enjoyable stories, singing songs & making a quick craft. Stay and play in the Brigantine branch kids' room afterwards.
- Fridays; September, October, November, and December 6, 13, 20
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1 1/2 - 3.
- Siblings welcome.
Sensory Storytime for Special Needs
Different theme and stories every month.
- September 4, October 3, November 14 and December 4
- 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1 1/2 - 5.
Preschool Storytime
The latest books & some old favorites will help introduce new vocabulary & reinforce learning. Children & their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, crafts, games & movement while building language & literacy skills.
- Mondays; September 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, 18, 25 and December 2, 9, 16, 23
- 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 2-4.
Special Storytime with The Funny Farm Animals
Meet some of the animal residents of the Funny Farm Rescue & Sanctuary while listening to the book, Farley the Funny Farm Dog by Laurie Zaleski & Matt Reeves, along with other tales.
- Thursday, October 3
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for all ages.
Special Story Time with Blossom, the Therapy Chicken
Enjoy a special story time featuring Blossom, the therapy chicken. Do not miss this unique experience with barnyard-themed stories plus a craft.
- Thursday, October 3
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-7.
Holiday Sing-a-long with Grandfather Joe
Grandfather Joe has you singing right along & rolling on the floor with laughter. Joyful music, fun holiday & wintry stories. Join us for some singing & hot cocoa.
- Thursday, December 12
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration requested.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
- Open to all ages.
Monday Baby Read & Play Baby Storytime
Bring your child to enjoy songs, puppets, fingerplays, simple crafts & of course, books!
- Mondays; September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28 and November 4
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 6 months - 2 years and their caregivers.
Preschool Storytime
The latest books & some old favorites will help introduce new vocabulary & reinforce learning. Children & their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, crafts, games
- Wednesdays; September 18, 25 & October 2, 9, 16, 30 and November 6
- Thursdays; September 19, 26, October 3,10,17, 24 and November 7
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 -5.
Bedtime Preschool Storytime
Hear sweet bedtime stories, have a snack, & make a craft!
- Wednesdays; September 18, 25 & October 2, 9, 16, 30 and November 6
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2 - 5.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
Tiempo de Cuentos/Bilingual Storytime
Hear fun stories, have snacks & make a cool craft.
- Thursdays; September 19, 26, October 3,10,17, 24 and November 7
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
Grandfather Joe Presents a Holiday Celebration
Grandfather Joe will be presenting fun holiday themed activities for our youngest library goers. Come listen to stories and have some festive fun.
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; September 10, 24, October 8, 22, November 12, 26 and December 10
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration requested, but drop ins welcome.
- Suggested for ages up to 6-14.
Pre-K Club
Children will enjoy this interactive story hour, which includes a craft.
- Tuesdays; September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, November 12, 19 and December 3, 10 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Wednesdays; September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, November 6, 13, 20 and December 4, 11 from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Thursdays; September 19, 26, October 3,10, 17, and November 14 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Open to ages 3½-5.
123 Read
Children and their caregivers will be ready for the day after this afternoon story hour filled with great books, songs, and play.
- Wednesdays; September 18, 25, October 3,10, 17, 24, November 6, 13, 20 and December 4, 11 from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Thursdays; September 19, 26, October 3,10, 17, 24, November 5, 12 and December 5, 12 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Open to ages 1½-3.
Bibs and Books
Reading, rhyming, bouncing, singing, puppets, and more.
- Thursdays; September 12, 19, 26 October 3,10, 17, November 15 and December 6, 13
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Open to ages 18 month and younger and their caregivers.
Halloween Fun Storytime
Enjoy Halloween stories, food & a craft! Don't forget to wear your Halloween costume.
- Monday; October 29
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1-5.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
Thankful for Thanksgiving Storytime
Enjoy Thanksgiving stories, food & a craft!
- Tuesday; November 26
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1-5.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
Toddler Storytime
The latest books & some old favorites will help introduce new vocabulary & reinforce learning. Children & their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, crafts, games & movement while building language & literacy skills.
- Tuesdays; September 3, 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, 26 and December 3, 10, 17
- 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 2 1/2-5.
Preschool Storytime
The latest books & some old favorites will help introduce new vocabulary & reinforce learning. Children & their caregivers will enjoy stories, songs, crafts, games & movement while building language & literacy skills.
- Thursdays; September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21 and December 12, 19
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
Reading with Trevor the Mini Goldendoodle
Hear the story of Farley the Funny Farm Dog and learn about the various wild & wonderful animals living at the Funny Farm Animal Sanctuary.
- Thursdays; September 5, 19, October 3, 17, November 7, 21 and December 5, 19
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration required.
- Suggest for ages 5 and older.
Furry Buddies
Read a story to therapy dogs, Freedom, Erin, & Cody, who love sharing stories with children.
- Tuesdays; September 3, 17, October 1, 15, November 19 and December 3, 17
- 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; September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 21, 28, November 4, 18, 25 and December 2, 9 at 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Tuesdays; September 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, 26 and December 3, 10 at 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; September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27 and December 4, 11
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Children's Story Circle Origami
Bring the kids to hear two Korean folktales, The Ungrateful Tiger and The Story of Pear Blossom. After the stories, kids will make a story origami to remember the tales and to take home as mementos.
- Tuesday, November 19
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Open to all.
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; September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and December 7, 14, 21, 28
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3-6.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Spanish Language Storytime
Enjoy hearing stories read in Spanish.
- Wednesdays; September 18 and October 16
- 6:45 PM - 7:30 PM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3-7.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Tot Tales
Stories, songs, stickers, snack & an easy craft!
- Wednesdays; September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, 27 and December 4, 11, 18
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1-4.
- Siblings always welcome.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies.
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. Our storytime includes sensory elements that are helpful to children with special needs.
- Thursdays; September 5, 12, 19, 26, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, November 7, 14, 21 and December 5, 12, 19
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months.
