The Atlantic County Library System is excited to be participating in 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
Pajama-rama Storytime
Wear your pajamas to the library & join Miss Bonnie for fun with reading, instruments, movement & sounds. Supports early literacy.
- Wednesdays; 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- July 11: Stories to Sing
- July 18: Strike up the Band
- July 25: We've Got Rhythm
- August 1: Loud and Quiet
- August 9: Home, Sweet Home (stories about different homes)
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3-6. Must be accompanied by an adult.
Play Date at the Library
Enjoy stories, rhymes, and songs with your little one. Designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Mondays; June 25, July 9 & 23, and August 13 & 27
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration suggested.
- Suggested for ages 6-36 months.
Monday Baby Read & Play Baby Storytime
Bring your little ones for a morning of stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more.
- Monday; June 25
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 6-36 months.
Thuesday Preschool Storytime
Come out to hear stories, play games, do crafts & have fun!.
- Tuesdays; June 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Wednesday Baby Read & Play Storytime
Bring your little ones for a morning of stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and more!
- Wednesdays; June 27, July 11, 18 , 25, and August 1
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 6-36 months.
Wednesday Preschool Storytime
Come out to hear stories, play games, do crafts & have fun!
- Wednesdays; June 27, July 11, 18 , 25, and August 1
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Thursday Preschool Storytime
Come out to hear stories, play games, do crafts & have fun!.
- Thursdays; June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26, and August 2
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Sleepy Storytime
Listen to sweet bedtime stories before heading off to bed. Come in your jammies and don't forget your blankie.
- Wednesday; June 20
- 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3½-5.
Read & Sing Baby Time
Bring Little Ones to hear stories and sing songs.
- Mondays; July & August 6, 13
- Rosemary Hennessey of Music Together joins us on July 2, and August 6 for special storytimes with music and movement.
- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Registration required for each session.
Summer Fun Story Hour
Hear fun stories and create something exciting.
- Tuesdays; June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 7, 14
- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Registration required for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3-7.
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; June 12, 26, July 10, 24, and August 14, 28
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration requested, but drop ins welcome.
- Suggested for ages up to 6-14
Learning Readiness
Each session includes stories, an age appropriate craft, snacks & games.
- Tuesdays; June 5, 12, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 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
Each session includes a craft & stories and occasional snacks!
- Thursdays; June 21, 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26, and August 2, 9, 16
- 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; June, July & August
- 12:30 AM - 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; June 5, 19, July 3, 17, and August 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; July 16, 23, 30 and August 6, 13
- Registration requested for each session.
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Rock Your PJs
Put on your Pjs and join Miss Debbie for a rockin' read-along of music themed stories.
- Tuesdays; June 19 and July 3, 17, 31
- 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
- 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; June 18, July 16, and August 13
- 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; July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 8, 15, 22
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 1-4.
- Siblings always welcome.
Monday Morning @ the Library
Start the week off right with a Monday morning of fun stories, felt boards, songs, rhymes, and more. Perfect for preschoolers.
- Mondays; July 9, 16, 23 and August 6, 13, 20, 27
- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
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; June 7, 14, 28, July 12, 19, 26 and August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months.
