Read with me!
Reading aloud to your infant, toddler or preschooler helps develop pre-reading skills and builds a lifelong love of reading. Join the Library’s 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program and help your child learn and grow! Child care centers and preschool programs are invited to join as well. Teachers can keep track of reading and receive prizes for their classroom.
How it works:
- Register at any of our locations. You will receive a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten booklet to track your reading.
- Track your reading. Receive a sticker to put in your booklet each time you read 100 books. To track your reading online, download the Beanstack app or visit the Beanstack website. On the app, you’ll need to select “participate at my library” then search for Indianapolis Public Library.
- Receive a prize. Show a staff member your progress and receive a prize when you reach 100, 500, and 1000 books!
Tips for young readers:
- All books count. Books can be from the library or your home. All types of books count — board books, picture books, e-books, and magazines.
- Read daily. Focus on building a habit rather than reading for a set amount of time.
- Read the same book again and again. This helps children build comprehension. Each time you read a story, count it! If you read The Very Hungry Caterpillar five times, that counts for 5 books!
- Read the pictures. Any time spent with a book fosters language and understanding.
- Check out a Bunny Book Bag. Bunny Book Bags are already full of 15 picture books or 10 board books! No two bags are alike. (limit two bags per check-out).
- Check out e-books for kids, audiobooks, and read alongs from home. Choose from our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten e-book collection in OverDrive/Libby. If you have never borrowed from OverDrive/Libby before directions are available: OverDrive/Libby App Directions, Browser Directions, and Video Tutorial.
Games and activities to support reading.
For more information about IndyPL's early learning programs, ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.
Made possible by Friends of the Library through gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation.
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