Menomonie Public Library will be implementing an ongoing early literacy initiative called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten.  We plan on kicking off this program on May 14, 2013.  This multiyear project will be used to encourage parents to read aloud at least 1000 books with their children age birth up to before they enter school.  The program is open to any preschooler in Menomonie and surrounding communities.  According to the US Census Bureau, Menomonie’s population has 651 children under the age of 5.  Our initial goal for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is to reach and involve 200 (or more!) of these children over a two year period.