#Adventure Awaits at Ed Austin Regional Park
Join Mayor Donna Deegan, Jacksonville Public Library, and a host of literacy advocates and exhibitors for one big Summer Kickoff Event on Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Ed Austin Regional Park (11751 McCormick Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32225)!
Pick up free books from our partners at Read Jax and READ USA and meet 50 children's book authors at the event, who will be selling or giving away their books to kids who attend. Kona Ice and the Honey Dippers will be giving away sno-cones and ice cream treats. There will also be balloon artists, face painters, bounce houses, and encounters with your favorite characters from PBS Kids!
Mayor Deegan will take the main stage at 9:30 a.m. to discuss her River City Readers citywide literacy challenge, distribute free books and backpacks, and meet and greet attendees.
#Main Stage
9:30 a.m. - Mayor Donna Deegan
9:45 a.m. - Hello, Mr. Joe (Joe Gaskin)
10:15 a.m. - The Jaguars ROAR and Drumline
(DJ running until event close)
#Story Tent
Hear stories and have fun with authors!
9 a.m. - Bobbi Simmons
10 a.m. - Jasmine the Book Fairy
10:30 a.m. - Heather Duke
11 a.m. - PeTika Tave
11:30 a.m. - Heather Marie
#Read 20 Minutes Per Day
Jacksonville Public Library is a proud member of ReadJax, a community effort to improve third-grade reading outcomes. Throughout the summer, you'll find great, themed books on display and hear amazing stories of adventure at storytimes and other library programs (for all ages)! We’ve also adopted the slogan "Twenty Minutes a Day Paves the Way" because research has shown that reading (and being read to) just 20 minutes a day can:
- Provide time for parents and caregivers to bond with children
- Expose children to as many 1.8 million words per year
- Help students reach the 90th percentile on standardized tests
- Prepare pre-kindergartners for school
Let's Get DUUUVAL Reading!
You'll also find great book recommendations and reading-related challenges when you download Beanstack and sign up for Mayor Deegan's River City Readers citywide literacy challenge! With the Beanstack app, it's easier than ever before to keep track of your reading. All you have to do is read at least 20 minutes per day and log those reading minutes online. You'll be awarded digital badges for logging multiple days in a row and for completing other reading-related activities. At the end of the year, the city’s top young readers will be given prizes!
Getting Started
- Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Download and open the Beanstack Tracker app.
- Choose At my library, school or bookstore.
- Using the Find a Site search bar, type Jax Library or River City Readers
- Select Jax Library River City Readers (FL).
