Utahns participated in the state's first statewide Utah Reads Read-a-Thon on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, as organizers aimed to engage roughly 275,000 participants in schools, libraries, and workplaces to promote literacy. The event featured activities ranging from high school student visits at elementary schools to reading sessions in the Utah State Capitol.
Eagle Valley Literacy Gains
Eagle Valley Elementary in Draper participated in the cross-campus event on Friday, Oct. 2, when students from Cedar Valley High School visited to share favorite picture books from their own elementary years. The school's involvement comes amid significant literacy growth within the Alpine School District.
According to the Alpine School District, the school achieved 20% or more growth in student reading proficiency in at least one grade level in January 2026. Furthermore, more than half of all Alpine elementary schools received commendations from the Utah State Board of Education for exceptional literacy growth.
Statewide Literacy Efforts
The Read-a-Thon is a component of the Utah Reads initiative, a statewide effort designed to help children develop strong reading skills and encourage adults to make reading a habit. Rich Stowell, the Alpine School District communications director, noted that the event aims to increase appreciation for literacy by having students see adults reading for fun.
Stowell participated in the initiative while deployed to Italy with his Army Reserve unit, reading to fellow servicemembers at the U.S. Army Garrison Italy base library. The district also participated through other campuses, including Lehi High School, which hosted a literacy celebration featuring reading bingo, and Willowcreck Middle School, which held a schoolwide reading period during its Pride Time.
Leadership Participation
Governor Spencer J. Cox and First Lady Abby Cox participated in the kickoff activities on Oct. 2. The Governor led a 9:30 a.m. kickoff livestream and read with students at Guadalupe School. First Lady Cox joined nearly 500 students in the Capitol rotunda for an hour of reading, where participants received books donated by Marissa's Books.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joined students at Mt. Loafer Elementary in Salem to watch the governor's livestream. Henderson stated that investing in reading is an investment in Utah's future, noting that the event helps bring families, schools, and neighborhoods together through the joy of reading.
Addressing Literacy Gaps
While the Read-a-Thon seeks to build a culture of literacy, state data highlights the challenges facing Utah's education system. A January 2026 report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute indicated that only 50.3% of Utah third graders were reading at grade level in 2025.
This data follows the passage of the Utah's Early Literacy Outcomes Improvement Act in 2022, which established a target of 70% third-grade proficiency by 2027. The Read-a-Thon serves as a strategic effort to bridge the gap between current proficiency levels and state goals.
Community Engagement
Participation in the event was widespread across various districts and organizations. In Cache County, Sky View High School organized participation through its reading club, supported by local business donations. Todd McKee, the Cache County School District superintendent, said such events help build a vibrant culture of literacy to inspire lifelong learning.
Other local activities included the Spanish Fork Library, which hosted a city employee read-a-thon on Thursday followed by patron reading and pajama dance parties on Friday. The Duchesne County Library invited readers to use pillows and blankets, while the Orem Public Library held an evening reading session from 5 to 8 p.m. Additionally, Pacific Heritage Academy paired reading with stories from various cultural traditions, including Samoan, Hawaiian, Tongan, Māori, Mexican, Dominican, and Armenian traditions.
Resources for Families
The statewide initiative also saw corporate and community support. Ken Garff encouraged employees to dedicate time to reading during work hours. For families looking to maintain reading momentum, the Utah Reads website provides reading tips, an interactive map of Free Little Libraries, and free reading games.
