Natchez Mayor Dan M. Gibson has launched the Mayor’s Book Club, an initiative to promote early childhood literacy by mailing free books to children from birth to age 5. The program aims to reach 500 children monthly and is believed to be the first of its kind sponsored by a mayor in Mississippi. A launch event is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, at Dixon Books in downtown Natchez.
The Mayor’s Book Club represents a new effort to foster reading among the youngest residents of Natchez, Mississippi. Announced by Mayor Dan M. Gibson, the program will deliver age-appropriate books to enrolled children each month without charge to families. Gibson emphasized the importance of early reading, stating, “We are excited to share the love of reading with future generations. Today’s young readers will be tomorrow’s great leaders. Statistics prove that introducing our children to books at an early age significantly increases their odds of success. Reading is exercise for the imagination, stimulating young minds to imagine and achieve great things.”
The initiative's launch celebration is set for Thursday, March 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dixon Books, located at 514 Main Street in historic downtown Natchez. At the event, parents and caregivers can register their children, with additional sign-up options available at Natchez City Hall, Dixon Books, the Natchez Library, and other local spots. Gibson described the program's potential impact, noting, “This will indeed be impactful upon our community. I can’t wait to hear the stories of young families finding new books in their mailboxes each month. As a child, reading made a profound difference in my life. I can’t wait to see the difference it will make in the lives of children across our community.”
Further information on sponsorships and partnerships will be revealed at the launch. The mayor added, “This project reflects our dedication to the future of Natchez. We look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks and invite stakeholders to join us as we embark on this exciting journey. Look for the Mayor’s Book Club logo and sign up your children!” Donations to support the effort can be made through https://ferstreaders.org or https://bit.ly/MayorsBookClubNatchez. For inquiries, contact Richard Burke, executive assistant to the mayor, at rburke@natchez.ms.us or 601-445-7555.
