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 | Ventnor
Out-of-this-World Storytime
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 listed below (special Tuesday session on August 23)
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for ages 3 -6.
July 5: Travel to the Moon
July 19: Trekking Across Our Universe
August 2: Night Time
August 9: Take Me to Your reader
August 16: Blast Off
August 23 (Tuesday): A Sky Full of Stories
Play Date at the Library - Reading Readiness
Enjoy stories, songs,, and coloring with your little one. Designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Mondays; June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and August 5, 12, 19, 26
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration required for each session
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months
Read & Play Baby Storytime
Bring your child out to enjoy songs, puppets, fingerplays, simple crafts, snacks & of course, books!
- Mondays; June 24 and July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- Wednesdays; June 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- 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; June 25 and July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- Thursdays; June 27 and July 11, 18, 25 and August 1
- 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; June 26 and July 3, 10, 17,
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration required for each session.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies
- Suggested for ages 3 - 5 years
Therapy Chicken Storytime
Drop by our evening storytime to see "The Chicken Lady," who’ll be visiting with her chicken to share stories.
- Wednesdays; July 24
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Registration required.
- Please advise staff of any food allergies
- Suggested for all ages.
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 11, 25, July 9, 23 and August 13, 27
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- Registration requested, but drop ins welcome
- Suggested for ages up to 6-14
Little Astronauts Toddler Time
Bring your little ones to hear stories and sing songs.
- Mondays; June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22 , 29 and August 5, 12
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration required for each session
- Suggested for ages 1½-3.
Summer Fun Story Hour
Hear fun stories & stay to create something exciting.
- Wednesdays; June 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7, 14
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration required for each session
- Suggested for ages 3-7.
Toddler Storytime
Each session includes stories, an age appropriate craft, snacks & games.
- Tuesdays; June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 6, 13, 20, 27
- 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
- Registration requested for each session.
- Please advise of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 2 1/2-5.
Preschool Storytime
Enjoy listening to fun stories and making a cool crafts!
- Thursdays; June 6, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25 and August 8, 15, 22, 29
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- Registration requested for each session
- Please advise of any food allergies.
- Suggested for ages 3-5.
Storytime with the Funny Farm
Join us for storytime with the Funny Farm. Learn about and interact with the various wild & wonderful animals living at the Funny Farm Animal Sanctuary.
- Wednesday, July 10
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Registration requested.
- Suggested for all ages.
Furry Buddies
Enjoy stories, rhymes & songs with your little one, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Tuesdays; June 4, 18, July 2, 16 and August 6, 20
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 6-14.
Out-of-this-World Preschool Storytime
Join us for fun stories & a simple craft, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Tuesdays; July 9, 16, 23, 30 and August 5, 12
- 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
- Registration requested for each session
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Make It, Shake It, Space Jam Storytime
Join us for stories, music, and fun movement activities.
- Mondays; July 15, 22, 29 and August 6, 13
- 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
- Registration requested for each session
- Suggested for ages 3 1/2-5.
Little Astronauts Play Date at the Library
Enjoy stories, rhymes & songs with your little one, designed to develop early literacy skills.
- Wednesdays; June 5, July 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 7, 14
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Registration requested for each session
- Suggested for ages 6-36 months
DIY Storytime
Go into our picture book stacks with Miss Debbie and choose some books you'd like her to read to you!
- Tuesdays; June 18, July 2, 16, 30 and August 13, 27
- Wednesdays; June 19. July 3, 17, 31 and August 14, 28
- 6:00 PM - 6:45 PM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 3-6.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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; June 1, 8, 15, 22 ,29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3, 10,17, 24, 31
- 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- No registration required
- Suggested for ages 3-6
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
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; June 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25 and August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 12-36 months
Classroom Adventures Storytime
Stop by for a fun morning of stellar storytelling with professional storyteller Don Dougherty of Classroom Adventures.
- Saturday, July 6
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- No registration required.
- Suggested for ages 5-10
