East Moline Library, MercyOne Genesis launch “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten”

The East Moline Public Library is partnering with the MercyOne Genesis Birth Center in Silvis for the nationwide early literacy initiative “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.”

East Moline Public Library, MercyOne Genesis — From left to right: Marcia Lintz, president of the Friends of the East Moline Public Library; Tabitha Collins, MercyOne Genesis Silvis Medical Center RN and Bianca Sierra, director of the East Moline Public Library showcase “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” materials, January 2025.

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All babies born at the Silvis MercyOne Genesis in 2025 will receive a “baby-sized” tote bag and a new book, sponsored by the Friends of East Moline Public Library, as part of the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program.

EMPL 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten — A promotional graphic for the East Moline Public Library’s “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program.

CONTRIBUTED

The bag and book will include instructions on how to sign up for the program, which has been tailored and adopted at libraries nationwide. Parents and caregivers can keep track of the books their children read though the Beanstack app or the East Moline Public Library’s website. Upon reaching each literacy milestone, participants can collect “reading rewards” at the library.

Children who successfully finish the program will receive a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten t-shirt.

It’s no surprise that young children are constantly asking the question “why?”. Research has now shown that children prefer to read books that explain how and why things happen.