A love of reading is being fostered at Gunnedah Shire Library, which is one of only three libraries in Australia running the 1000 Books Before School program.
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Forty-three children are enrolled in the program, with more than 40 of the children awarded certificates for reaching the milestones of 50, 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 books.
On Tuesday, Gunnedah mayor Owen Hasler donned his ceremonial robe and acknowledged 25 children for their reading efforts.
Four boys – Calvin Law, Lachlan Goodworth, Benjamin Grosser and Harvey Stokes – reached the impressive milestone of 1000 books and were rewarded with a book as well as a certificate.
Eugenie Goddard was given a special mention because she is undergoing a second round of the program having already reached the 1000 books goal.
Councillor Owen Hasler said he was grateful that the library had taken the initiative to deliver the program.
“This is such a marvellous program,” he said.
“It’s really been reinforced to me over the last 12 months...how much enjoyment young people get out of reading and how much learning.”
The 1000 Books initiative was launched in January to encourage early childhood literacy, with children able to join at any time.