Frequently Asked Questions

• What is 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

  1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a nationwide challenge to read, you guessed it, 1000 books with your little one before they start kindergarten. The Library’s special program for you and your kiddo(s) is an easy way to get your child ready to learn and read by sharing books together and earning fun prizes along the way!

• Is there an app for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten tracking?

  Yes! In the app store on your device, search for and install the “Beanstack” app. If you already registered for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten on a computer, just sign in and start logging. Or select Sign Up.

  When you are ready to begin logging, tap the plus sign, then select a Reader, or more than one Reader. You can select Scan Title ISBN to do just that, or you can Manually Enter Title to log each book. Your logging will be tracked whether you use the website or the app.

  Android Tutorial, opens a new window | Apple Tutorial, opens a new window

  

• When can I enroll my child in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

  Birth! It’s never too early to start reading and talking to your child.

• How can I enroll in 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

  You can enroll by setting up an account for your child online. (Please note: you’ll be directed to our partner website, Beanstack, which helps us keep track of your books.)

  • Click Sign Up
  • Choose Register an Individual or a Family
  • Select I am an adult registering a child
  • Enter the information for your kiddo

  After you enroll one child, you have the option of adding an additional child (or two, or three!) to your account.

  Watch a tutorial, opens a new window.

• How do I log books for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten?

  Once you have your account set up, you can log in and begin recording the books you've shared together. There are three options for logging books:

  1. Visit your favorite JCPL location to pick up a fun tracking sheet for you and your little one to color in together. Pick up a new tracking sheet and milestone sticker each time you finish 100 books. (Tracking sheets can also be downloaded and printed from home in either English, opens a new window or Spanish, opens a new window.)
  2. Log into Beanstack to keep track of your titles and/or the number of books.
     • Click Log Reading in the top left-hand corner.
     • Select your reader profile (if more than one child is enrolled).
     • Select the icon for Books and complete one of two options:
       • Start typing in a title or author (suggestions will pop up to help you). Click Log when finished.
       • Or, if keeping track of titles isn't your thing, simply enter the number of books you've shared together in the box: How many times was this book read? Click Log when finished.
  3. Use the app! In the app store on your device, search for and install the "Beanstack" app. If you have already registered for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten on a computer, just sign in and start logging. Or select Sign Up. When you are ready to begin logging, tap the plus sign, then select a Reader or more than one Reader. You can select Scan Title ISBN to do just that, or you can Manually Enter ISBN or Manually Enter Title to log each book.

  Watch a tutorial, opens a new window.