Parent Packs and Beyond is a joint project with Daniel Boone Regional Library. This program has been in existence since 1996. It provides preassembled kits in English and Spanish that are loaned to expectant parents.

The new “and Beyond” has expanded ALMM participation with Daniel Boone Regional Library.  The library program, “1000 Books Before Kindergarten”  began in September 2021.  As of the end of December 2021, 1,447 children have been registered for the program.  The program provides backpacks, books and a reading buddy to children from birth to age 5. The program encourages children to discover the joy of reading at an early age by reading or listening to 1000 books before kindergarten.

When registered for the program, a child is given a backpack to use to carry their books home from the library and a reading log for the first 100 books.  When a child reads or listens to a book they fill in a shape on the reading log.  When they read or listen to 100 books they receive a prize ( a sticker, a book or a reading buddy) and a reading log for the next 100 books.  Upon completion of 1000 books the child receives a framed certificate and a kindergarten starter kit.

In 2021 ALMM donated funds to purchase backpacks which are given to a child when they are registered for the program.