York County Libraries Plan Reading Journey Celebration for Families

York County Libraries Plan Reading Journey Celebration for Families
 
YORK, PA - York County Libraries are planning a Reading Journey Celebration for families from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Geared to children five and under, the free event will be held at Red Land Community Library, located at 70 Newberry Commons in Etters. Registration is requested online through the yorklibraries.org events calendar for planning purposes; however, walk-ins are also welcome. 
 
According to York County Libraries Youth Services Director Mindy McDonnell, this year’s Reading Journey Celebration features Songbird Studios. The event will include music, dance, stories, crafts, and activities.  
“Reading 1000 books before kindergarten is a big deal. And, for many participants it’s just the start of a lifelong journey filled with great books and, we hope, many library visits,” says McDonnell. “That’s what this program is all about— coming together as a community of readers to have fun and celebrate the participants and their families.”
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. Families wanting to learn more about the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program are encouraged to attend the March 7 celebration; program sign-up will be available for those interested. 
 
“Reading together creates a cherished family experience that ignites a curiosity for learning,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “When families participate in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program, they build critical literacy skills that will help their children succeed in school and beyond.”

York County Libraries launched the program in 2018, and since that time 6790 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 program is free for all participants.
 
Questions about the Reading Journey Celebration should be directed to the YCL youth services team at ysdepartment@yorklibraries.org.
 
York County Libraries (YCL) strengthen the community and enrich individual lives. Their programs and services help community members build the five core literacies championed by the Pennsylvania Library Association PA Forward® program. In 2025, the libraries collectively hosted over 4,000 programs that helped nearly 100,000 children, teens, and adults build literacy skills. YCL’s thirteen library locations provide the latest in print and digital information, bestsellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions, and databases. For more information about services, library hours, and locations, go to yorklibraries.org.  
 
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