Polk County Public Libraries now offering children’s reading program to families

Published 8:00 am Saturday, September 22, 2018

Families are invited to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at Polk County Public Libraries.

The nationwide challenge encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children. By reading just one book a night, families can reach the 1,000-book goal in just three years, and provide their children with essential early literacy skills, library representatives said.

Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading to children from an early age can help close the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading.

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is available to all families with children up to 5 years old.

For more information, those interested may contact Jen Pace Dickenson, youth services librarian, at 828-894-8721, ext. 284, or jdickenson@polklibrary.org. Registration forms are available at both Columbus Library and Saluda Library.

Those interested in learning more about Polk County Public Libraries may visit polklibrary.org.

– Submitted by Jen Pace Dickenson