NEWS RELEASE: Utahns make time to read for statewide Utah Reads Read-a-Thon
SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 2, 2026) — Utahns picked up books in schools, libraries and workplaces Friday for the first statewide Utah Reads Read-a-Thon, with more than 275,000 students and adults expected to participate.
“When our kids see older students, their parents and adults at work making time to read, it helps them see that reading matters at every age,” Gov. Spencer J. Cox said. “Abby and I are grateful to everyone who picked up a book and helped make this happen. Let’s keep reading together and help our kids build a habit that will serve them for the rest of their lives.”
“A book gives us a chance to slow down, spend time together and discover something new,” First Lady Abby Cox said. “I hope families will carry that excitement home. Let your kids choose a story, read with them and make it a part of your day you can all look forward to.”
The governor and first lady read with students at Guadalupe School and helped them select books at a book fair supported by Cyprus Credit Union and FOX 13 News. The governor then welcomed statewide participants via livestream, while the first lady joined students in the Capitol rotunda, where they received books donated by Marissa’s Books.
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson joined students at Mt. Loafer Elementary in Salem, where they watched the governor’s kickoff livestream before diving into a good book.
“When we invest in reading, we invest in Utah’s future. This read-a-thon is a fantastic way to bring Utah families, schools, and neighborhoods together around the joy of a good book. By instilling a love of reading in Utah’s students, we inspire lifelong learning and help unlock their incredible potential,” Lt. Gov. Henderson said.
At Alpine School District’s Eagle Valley Elementary, students read with visiting Cedar Valley High School students who shared their favorite elementary school books and why reading remained important to them.
“Our commitment to fun, engaging, and meaningful reading programs is demonstrated daily across our 93 schools. We are participating in First Lady Abby Cox’s Read-a-thon in a variety of ways to show how reading can be incorporated into all subjects and activities,” said Rich Stowell, Alpine School District’s director of communications. “As our students continue to have fun reading and see adults around them reading for fun, we hope their appreciation for literacy will increase.”
Stowell put that message into practice while deployed to Italy with his Army Reserve unit, reading to fellow servicemembers at the base library at U.S. Army Garrison Italy.
Sky View High School in Cache County School District helped organize participation through its reading club, with local businesses donating treats.
“Cache County School District is dedicated to facilitating the development and enhancement of lifelong literacy for each student through explicit, engaging instruction and targeted support,” said Todd McKee, superintendent of Cache County School District. “Events like this help us build a vibrant culture of literacy—inspiring our students to discover the joy, curiosity, and connection that reading brings both inside and outside the classroom.”
Pacific Heritage Academy paired reading with stories from the cultures of its faculty and staff, including Samoan, Hawaiian, Tongan, Māori, Mexican, Dominican and Armenian traditions, along with American tall tales.
“Before stories were written, they were spoken, shared, and carried from one generation to the next. Our oral traditions link us to history and culture, while reading gives us the power to share them with our neighbors,” said Semmi-Lu Satoafaiga, assistant director of Pacific Heritage Academy. “Because reading and enjoying stories together builds bridges and strengthens community, Pacific Heritage Academy is excited to celebrate the Read-A-Thon with our fellow Utahns—stories heard, read, and remembered.”
Spanish Fork Library hosted a city employee read-a-thon Thursday with doughnuts, kolaches and library card information, followed Friday by patron reading and pajama dance parties. Duchesne County Library invited readers to bring pillows and blankets and wear pajamas, while Orem Public Library planned an evening read-a-thon from 5 to 8 p.m.
Ken Garff encouraged employees to bring a book to work and spend an hour reading at a time that fit their schedules.
The Read-a-Thon is part of Utah Reads, a statewide effort to help children build strong reading skills and encourage Utahns of all ages to make reading a habit.
Photos from read-a-thons across the state can be found here.
A recording of the livestream can be found here.
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