1000 books before school

It's never too early to start reading to your child! 1000 Books Before School encourages you to share books with your child in their first five years of life.

The literacy skills they develop from being read to will help prepare them for school and nurture a love of books, language and reading.

You can read a thousand different books, or read one book a thousand times! Books read at storytime sessions, preschool, daycare and playgroup also count towards your child's total.

Collect rewards from the library as you progress through the program milestones, as well as a certificate upon completion. The program is complete when your child reaches 1000 books. This needs to be by the end of term one in their first year of school.

Get started

To get started, decide whether you would like to keep track of your reading using Beackstack (website or app) or printed records.

Beanstack

Beanstack is a website or free app that you can use to track your reading and notify you when it's time to visit the library and collect rewards.

Step 1.Create a Beanstack account

Go to Beanstack and follow the prompts to create an account.

Step 2.Download the app (optional)

Download the app from Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Step 3.Collect your registration pack (optional)

Collect your free tote bag from the library.

Step 4.Start reading and tracking

Every book that your child reads or listens to counts towards their reading achievements. Use the Beanstack website or app to keep track or your child's reading. You can type in the titles of the books, scan the barcode (using the app) or simply put in a comment to add books.

Step 5.Collect rewards

Beanstack will notify you when it's time to visit the library and collect rewards as you progress through the program milestones, including a certificate upon completion.

Printed records

Use a printed record to mark, colour or put a sticker on your reading record to keep track of the number of books you have read.

Step 1.Register

You can register online or in person at any of our branches.

Register online

Step 2.Collect your registration pack

Collect your free registration pack from your selected branch. The registration pack includes a tote bag, reading records(PDF, 4MB) and a sample sheet of stickers. 

Step 3.Start reading and tracking

Every book that your child reads or listens to counts towards their reading achievements. Mark, colour or sticker a circle on your reading record for each book completed.

Step 4.Collect rewards

Collect rewards from the library as you progress through the program milestones, as well as a certificate upon completion.

FAQs

How old does my child have to be to start the program?

Your child can start at any time from birth to 5 years old, as long as they have not started school. The earlier you start, the longer you have to complete the program.

What happens if I have more than one child?

You should register each child individually. There is no limit to how many family members can participate.

You can add multiple children on the one Beanstack account.

I want all my children to participate. Do they each need a library card?

No, only one card is needed to register, this can be a parent or guardians card, or a child's card.

You can sign up each child as a member if you wish, but it is not necessary.

Can I count books I read to my child before I registered?

No - the program begins for your family on the day you register, and you only count books you read from the day you register.

My child likes to read the same book over and over again. How do I count that?

Repetition is important for learning. If you read the same book 10 times, you mark off 10 circles on the printed reading record, or list the book 10 times in the Beanstack app.

Can I count books that are read to my child by others or at programs like Storytime?

Yes! Every book that your child completes, or actively listens to, counts. This includes audiobooks or stories read at storytime sessions, day care, playgroup and kindergarten, as well as reading the same book multiple times.

Do the books have to be library books?

You can read books from anywhere – not just library books. Any book that is read counts.

What if my child starts school and hasn’t finished the program?

You only have until the end of Term 1 of the year your child starts school to finish the reading and therefore complete the program and receive a certificate.

Do I have to use the Beanstack app?

No. Beanstack is optional. Some people may find the app easier to keep track of your reading, others will prefer the printed reading records - it’s up to you.