FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2024
York County Libraries to Hold Reading Journey Celebration for Families
YORK, PA – York County Libraries will host a Reading Journey Celebration for families from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2. The annual event will be held at the Village Library, located at 35-C North Main Street in Jacobus. This year’s theme is “Pajama Party” and will feature guest storytellers, crafts, and activities. Children are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite pajamas. The festivities are geared to children, age birth to five, and their families. There is no cost to attend, and registration is requested via the yorklibraries.org events calendar. Questions about the Reading Journey Celebration should be directed to the YCL youth services team at [email protected].
The Reading Journey Celebration is part of the York County Libraries 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program which encourages York County parents to read 1,000 books with their children before they start school. Children from the day they are born to the day they start kindergarten can participate. The program is free for all participants thanks to the support of the Richard S. & Ann B. Barshinger Family Foundation.
“Families that read 1000 books together are laying a strong language foundation for their children’s future,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “The gains are significant. By reading together a little each day, children acquire a robust vocabulary and greater understanding of the world around them.” According to Lambert, the goal to read 1000 books is achievable and can be done in as little as one year by reading just three books a day.
York County Libraries launched the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program in 2018, and since that time 5148 children and their families have participated. Registration is ongoing at local libraries and families receive a passport to help track progress at each 100-book milestone. When participants reach 500 and 1,000 books, they are awarded special reading incentives at their library.
“The Reading Journey Celebration is about coming together to celebrate literacy and to recognize our readers for their important accomplishment in reading 1000 Books Before Kindergarten,” says York County Libraries Director of Youth Services Mindy McDonnell. “It also allows us to say, ‘thank you’ to their families for making it possible.”
York County Libraries include 13 locations that provide the latest print and electronic information, bestsellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions and more. Their librarians are passionate advocates for lifelong learning, providing opportunities and resources for all ages. Through early childhood literacy programs, they ignite a love of reading and learning in young children and empower parents as their children’s first teachers. To learn more about York County Libraries’ programs, services, and resources, go to yorklibraries.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Deb Sullivan
Community Relations Director
York County Libraries
[email protected]