In celebration of Black History Month, Leon County will host a read-in at the main library on Saturday. It’s designed to build literacy skills with stories read aloud by local speakers -- and by the children themselves.
The annual read-in honors African American books and authors by encouraging the community to read together. It was first hosted by Leon County in 2013. Pamela Monroe, Leon County’s head librarian, says the event builds children’s pride in themselves.
“When children hear stories about themselves, and other children who are not African American hear some of these stories, it sparks questions, and it gets discussions started," she says, "but also in a safe place.”
Some of the readers are from Florida State University, Florida A&M University and the Neighborhood Medical Center. Audience members of all ages will be invited to read aloud from books provided by the library. And at the end, the Omega Lamplighters FEARSOME Junior Light (STEP) Team will perform.
Monroe says the event will build positive skills and relationships.
“These are great folks in our community that are doing really great things, and that’s why we want them reading to our children," she says. "And the beautiful thing about having the Omega Lamplighters is this is a group of young people that are doing positive things in the community as well.”
The read-in is this Saturday, February 17th from 1 to 2 p.m. at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library, 200 West Park Avenue.
