Click HERE for a digital version of our Summer Reading brochure for ages Birth – 6th grade. Teen Summer Reading info can be found HERE.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a program designed to help you raise a reader. Reading aloud to your child is the best way you can get your child ready to read. The idea is very straightforward: read any 1,000 books to your child before kindergarten begins.
Any child from birth to Pre-K may register for the program.
Stop by the Youth Services Desk to register and get a free tote bag, your child’s log and a list of recommended books.
For every book you read to your child, your child can color in a circle on the log sheet.
After every 100 books read, bring your sheet in to the library to collect a small prize and another sheet until you reach 1,000!
Frequently Asked Questions:
My child loves to read the same book over and over. Is that okay?
Absolutely! Each time you read a book to your child, whether it’s the same book over and over or different books each time, color in a circle on your log.
My child heard 3 books at storytime today. Do those books count?
Any book counts, whether your child listens to it in storytime or preschool, at home or in the car. The books don’t have to come from the Whiting Public Library.
I have more than one child. Can I count the same book for each of them?
Definitely!
How do I know which books to read?
There is no set list of 1,000 books. Read whatever books your child likes! We are happy to help you find good books for your child
Snuggle up for a cozy evening at Whiting Public Library’s Night Owls Storytime with Miss Laurie! Wear your pajamas, bring your favorite stuffed animal, and enjoy bedtime stories followed by a simple craft. Perfect for winding down together—sweet dreams start at the library!
Join Miss Laurie at Whiting Public Library for Preschool Storytime! Enjoy engaging stories, hands-on playtime, and a fun craft designed just for little learners. This interactive program helps build early literacy skills while making new friends—perfect for ages 3–5 and their caregivers.
Discover, play, and grow at Little Explorers, a sensory-rich program for children ages 18 months to preschool at Whiting Public Library! Enjoy unstructured, hands-on free-play designed to engage young minds and support early development. Adults must accompany children during this interactive experience.
Bring the whole crew for Family Bingo! Enjoy five exciting rounds of themed bingo with fun prizes, snacks, music, and plenty of laughs. It’s the perfect way to spend quality time together—everyone’s a winner!
Join Miss Laurie at Whiting Public Library for Preschool Storytime! Enjoy engaging stories, hands-on playtime, and a fun craft designed just for little learners. This interactive program helps build early literacy skills while making new friends—perfect for ages 3–5 and their caregivers.
Get creative and build something awesome at LEGO Club! This program is perfect for kids and families who love to design, build, and imagine. We provide the bricks—you bring the ideas! Each session features fun building prompts, or you can freestyle your own masterpiece. All ages welcome; no registration required.
Designed just for our littlest library friends, Itty Bitty Storytime is perfect for infants and toddlers! Join Miss Laurie for gentle stories, songs, and interactive play that support early learning and bonding. Caregivers and little ones welcome!
Unwind after school with a cozy storytime followed by a simple, hands-on craft. Kids will enjoy listening to a fun story and creating something to take home. Stories and activities geared toward elementary students.
