Reading Programs
1000 Books Before Kindergarten
Did you know reading to your baby or young child can give them the building blocks for lifelong success? Accept the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge, a simple and fun approach to building strong literacy skills in your child. By reading just one book a day, your child can earn rewards throughout the program at various levels and finish the program in under three years. This program is open to all children between the ages of zero to five years. Visit your library branch to register and pick up a paper log.
For Ages 0 – 5
Studies show that families who read aloud to their children from birth help strengthen language skills and build vocabulary — two essential tools for when children begin learning to read. Reading together is also an excellent bonding opportunity. You will create lifelong memories as you help your child build early literacy skills.
If you read just one book a night, you will reach more than 1,000 books after three years. And through the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, you can win prizes along the way!
You can track of the books you read in a printed reading log booklet:
- Pick up a free reading log booklet at our Hidden Springs, Lake Hazel, Star, or Victory locations.
- Read any book to your newborn, infant, or toddler! For every book read, color or check off the picture of the book in your reading log.
- Don’t forget to count the books others read to your child — including siblings, teachers, and other family members! Stories read to your child at daycare/preschool, at library storytimes, or at a grandparent’s house count too! And remember, if you read the same book over and over again, it counts each time!
Making reading part of each day is fun! To help incentivize your reading at home, your child earns a prize after each 100 books that you read!
- Visit any Ada Community Library location (Hidden Springs, Lake Hazel, Star, or Victory) to receive a special prize for every 100 books you read!
- Once you reach the 1,000 book reading goal, visit any Ada Community Library location to pick out a free book for your child to keep!
Ann Costello was a librarian at Ada Community Library who read voraciously and helped select books for the library. After retirement, she served with the Friends of the Library, continuing to connect books with people through used book sales. Ann’s passion for reading led her to read a wide variety of books. Ada Community Library is proud to offer Ann’s Book Bingo in her memory with the goal of introducing readers to the breadth of available literature.
Read 8 books from 10 different categories between October-April for a chance to earn free books for your library!
Download your Reading Log to get started!
Completed for 2025. Check back May 2026
Starting January 5th and running until February 28, read a book from each category – six total – and mark them on your reading log to earn a prize.
Kids, Teens and Adults all have the same reading log this year. Download it here to get started on the challenge.
For the Teens & Adults: If you need help finding a book for the Idaho Author category.