The Greater Dayton RTA will give out free books to help Miami Valley children keep reading this summer at a public event Thursday, July 13, at RiverScape MetroPark. The event is part of the agency’s “Read on RTA” program.
The RTA team will stock one of the green “Read on RTA” bookshelves full of books and encourage children and families to take a book to enjoy throughout the summer. A wide variety of books suitable for children of any age along with books for adults will be available. The RTA bookshelf will be set up from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Festival Plaza at RiverScape MetroPark near the splash fountain. The event will include additional family fun such as the RTA bus photo booth and ice cream treats for participants.
The date of the event corresponds with “National Summer Learning Day” — which aims to elevate the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed.
For the past 4 years the RTA, along with community partners Dayton Metro Library, Learn to Earn Dayton, Project Read and Half Priced Books, has collected and distributed thousands of free books to children across Dayton through the “Read on RTA” program. RTA aims to battle the “summer slide” — the academic backslide children can experience while they’re not actively learning in the classroom during summer months. Kids of all age levels are encouraged to take a book from one of the “Read on RTA” bookshelves at any transit center and enjoy.