Utah Valley University’s School of Education hosted its annual For the Love of Reading Conference on Sept. 30 to address an exponential increase in aliteracy. The event brought together educators, parents, librarians, and community leaders to share strategies for building lifelong readers.
The conference, held in the Clarke Building on the UVU campus in Orem, Utah, allowed professionals and parents to learn from local, state, and national experts. These experts included award-winning authors, illustrators, and leaders in literacy education and reading motivation.
Doug Gardner, a professor and the department chair of Student, Leadership, Success Studies (SLSS), stated that the conference is a vital gathering that connects various community members around a pressing literacy challenge. Gardner noted that by bringing together literacy experts and authors, UVU is helping to fill a critical gap and inspiring individuals to cultivate a love of reading in those they serve.
The mission of the forum is underscored by recent national data regarding literacy levels. According to the Nation’s Report Card, only 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2025, a decrease from 27% in 2012. Additionally, the National Literacy Institute reports that 54% of adults in the U.S. read below a sixth-grade level, and 64% of fourth graders in the country do not read proficiently.
The conference focuses on engaging readers before disengagement occurs, offering approaches that go beyond standard classroom instruction. Unlike standardized tests or curricular standards, fostering a love for reading is not a state or federal requirement.
Sponsors for the event included Marilyn and Lew Kofford, the Dennis and Joan Norton Family Foundation, the Gene and Lori Nelson family, the Bill J. and Norma T. Anderson Foundation, and Jewell Parker Rhodes.
Utah Valley University is an open-enrollment university that provides various programs ranging from certificates to master's degrees. The institution focuses on providing affordable, high-quality education and hands-on learning to prepare students for careers and community impact.
