The Reading Promise
Library develops community partnerships
. Residents see Library as leader in encouraging literacy and reading
. Residents commit to The Reading Promise contract
.
Washington County Library users came together for an inspirational community reading program by reading The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma. From January-March, 725 library users checked out and read a copy of the book. The program kicked off with an all-day read-a-thon at all library branches featuring local celebrities and key community members demonstrating the value of shared reading. Over 600 people signed one of the Reading Pledge posters displayed at all WCL branches by promising to share books and reading with those around them. Several local schools promoted the book, collected signatures for the reading promise pledge, hosted read-a-thons and other programs around the book. Six library sponsored bookclubs read and discussed The Reading Promise. At our culminating event, 100 people came to hear Alice speak at the RHS library about her relationship with her father, her "reading streak" experiences, and her passion and commitment for family literacy. In the end, this was more than a community reading program, it was a community commitment and celebration of reading.