1000 Books Before School

1000 Books Before School is an early literacy program designed to encourage parents and carers to read with their 0-5 year olds to help them prepare for school. To take part in the program a children's library card is required. 

You can register

• in person at Barry O’Keefe Library and receive printed material to track every time you read with your child
• online through Beanstack and log your reading digitally 

After reaching your first milestone of 100 books read, your child will be eligible to collect a 1000 Books Before School reading bag. For every 100 books read after that, you can collect a merit patch to go on the bag.

Every book that your child completes or listens to counts. The program finishes once your child reaches the goal of 1000 books, starts school, or turns 5.

The 1000 Books Before School program is proudly supported by the following councils: City of Ryde, Northern Beaches, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Mosman, Lane Cove, North Sydney, City of Canterbury Bankstown, Mid North Coast, Georges River, Burwood Council, Woollahra and Bayside.