The school year is already in full swing, and that means it’s once again time for parents, grandparents, friends and community members to once again head to their favorite local schools to make a difference in the life of a child.

The ninth annual Reading in the Schools Day will take place September 21st. This event was created by local literacy non-profit Read To Succeed in an effort to bring the community into local classrooms. Over 1,000 classrooms and 25,000 students will have volunteer readers visiting that Friday.  Everyone in the community is encouraged to volunteer to read—it takes only a few minutes out of a busy day, but can mean so much. Visit www.readtosucceed.org to sign-up at your favorite local school.

“On Reading in the Schools Day, the whole community gets to take a little break to visit a classroom and witness how much it means to a student to have someone read to them,” said Read To Succeed Executive Director Lisa Mitchell. “"When community leaders, sports figures, medical professionals, police officers and neighbors take time out of their busy schedules to go to a classroom and read, the children immediately understand how important reading should be in their lives.”

The next day, Murfreesboro and Smyrna’s Linebaugh Library and the La Vergne Library will host the Read To Succeed Reading Rally.

“Reading Rally is so important because it is a day to focus on the importance of reading,” said Carol Kersey, Smyrna Linebaugh Branch Librarian, “and for the community to learn more about the library as they have fun  with family and friends.”

Murfreesboro Linebaugh Library Director Rita Shacklett said the annual Reading Rallies bring attention to the myriad services local libraries provide for the community. Because it’s not just about books anymore.

This midday festival to celebrate the written word is open to the public with no charge and held in three locations simultaneously to allow easy access to all Rutherford County residents. The point is to bring attention to what the libraries have to offer—books, classes, computer labs, books on CDs, DVDs and great, helpful staff. But the Rallies also offer moon jumps, storytellers, musicians, magicians, healthy snacks, door prizes and storybook characters come-to-life.

The goal of the Reading Rallies is to highlight what the library is really all about: a free, fun, useful resource available to the entire community.

Reading in the Schools Day takes place September 21 at schools across the city and county. To find out how to be a volunteer reader at your favorite school, go to www.readtosucceed.org to find a coordinator.

The Reading Rallies take place September 22 at Linebaugh Library in Murfreesboro, Smyrna Library, and La Vergne Library. To find out how you can help, contact your local library or visit www.readtosucceed.org.