Texas program honors U.S. 250th birthday
Taylor librarians are urging locals to take part in a statewide initiative that challenges folks to read, explore or volunteer as part of the Texas America250 Reading Challenge.
The program, which runs until Dec. 31, asks participants to log 2,500 minutes of reading, visiting state parks or performing community service in honor of the nation’s 250-year anniversary.
Taylor Public Library Director Amy Keyes noted the reading challenge “provides a unique opportunity to celebrate our country being 250 years old.”
The program, Keyes said, highlights multiple ways to learn, discover and explore through reading or listening to audio books, attending library programming such as story times or other events, volunteering in their communities and visiting state parks.
Keyes encouraged the community to take part.
“Literacy is the core of everything you do in life,” Keyes said. “ Visit the Taylor Public Library today to begin this amazing journey.”
The library is at 801 Vance St. Gov. Greg Abbott, in conjunction with The Texas Center for the Book and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, established the Texas America250 Commission to help the state observe the country’s semiquincentennial, or 250th birthday.
“We look forward to Texans across the state reading, volunteering and visiting our beautiful Texas state parks as we commemorate the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” TSLAC director Gloria Meraz said in a release.
While the event is for people of all ages, Abbott specifically addressed children.
“I encourage all young Texas to participate in the Texas America250 Reading Challenge,” Abbott said in the statement. “Through engaging in this challenge, our children will strengthen their reading skills, learn the importance of Texas and American history and prepare themselves to become the future leaders of the Lone Star State.”
While participants log their own minutes, they can track their reading times using the “Mosey along the reading trail” reading log map at tsl. texas.gov/america250/challenge.
Upon completion of the reading challenge, participants receive a special certificate from their public or school librarian signed by Abbott.
