Fort Bend libraries stream first Read-A-Thon on Sept. 8

Fort Bend County Libraries will stream its first-ever Read-A-Thon at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

The free event lands on the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day and doubles as a push for Library Card Sign-Up Month, the annual September campaign the American Library Association (ALA) has run since 1987. Library Director Roosevelt Weeks announced the Read-A-Thon on the library system's website, calling it a new initiative to spotlight the sign-up drive.

"Supporting reading and literacy at all levels and in all parts of our communities is a key component to successful growth of our county," Weeks said.

Pre-recorded video segments will feature readings by library staff, city leaders, media personnel and what the library called "surprise guests" and "familiar Fort Bend faces." The lineup is aimed at children and adults alike.

Because all segments are pre-recorded, viewers can watch live or catch up later on the library's social media pages. The library has not announced how long the stream will run or released a schedule of individual readers.

How to watch

Residents can tune in on any of Fort Bend County Libraries' official accounts:

Facebook: facebook.com/FortBendCountyLibraries
Instagram: instagram.com/fbclibraries
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCEahpmFC3n1Xy0mwu7gRW4A

Free library cards

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month nationwide. A Fort Bend County Libraries card is free. Residents can sign up at any branch, including the Missouri City Branch Library at 1530 Texas Parkway and the Sienna Branch Library at 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd. in Missouri City.

The ALA said getting a card is key to academic success for students and lifelong learning for adults. The library system's general information line is 281-238-2900.