December 15, 2008

Tallahassee (FL) Mayor John Marks' reading initiative for children is commencing a new partnership with the local public broadcasting station, WFSU, and PBS KIDS Raising Readers. PBS KIDS Raising Readers is a national literacy initiative that utilizes research-based practices and multi-media content to meet the literacy needs of low-income families. Tallahassee: A Community that Reads program is the Mayor's version of a monthly book club for children within the community. Since the program's implementation in 2004, it has strived to raise awareness around the important role that reading plays in a child's development, at both the elementary and secondary education levels. Now, through the combined efforts of the Mayor, WFSU and PBS KIDS Raising Readers, and with assistance from additional sponsors, this partnership will do even more to promote literacy throughout the community.

The partnership plans to launch a multi-media campaign targeting areas where parents and children are most likely to view various media. The campaign will provide literacy tips for parents, as well as notify the community of upcoming events. At the beginning and end of each school year, the Mayor plans to hold larger reading events with live music that encourages students to get excited about reading. Throughout the school year, he will read to individual classes in the Tallahassee.

Additional project sponsors currently include Leon County Schools; Tallahassee Community College; the City of Tallahassee; North Florida Library Association; Barnes and Noble; Martha Speaks; and the Character Center. For more information or questions concerning this program, please contact Ramon Alexander, Community and External Affairs Aide to Mayor John Marks, at (850) 891-2000.