Brevard County Celebrates National Reading Month with Literacy Initiatives

From Little Free Libraries to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Brevard residents and organizations are promoting childhood literacy year-round.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Throughout Brevard County, organizations and individuals are encouraging literacy through various initiatives during National Reading Month and beyond. Programs like Little Free Libraries, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and public library events offer free access to books, while resources are available for struggling readers, including those with disabilities or for whom English is a second language.

Why it matters

Promoting early literacy is crucial for child development, as it helps build language, vocabulary, and pre-reading skills. In an era of increasing screen time, these community-driven efforts aim to inspire a love of reading and ensure all children have access to books and reading-related activities.

The details

Brevard's Early Learning Coalition, public libraries, and other organizations are leading the charge on literacy initiatives. They offer programs like story times, reading challenges, homeschool hangouts, and partnerships with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to get books into the hands of young readers. Resources are also available for struggling readers, including vision screenings, language learning tools, and books in multiple formats.

  • March is National Reading Month, when many of Brevard's literacy initiatives ramp up.
  • In June, Brevard County Libraries will kick off their annual summer reading program.

The players

Autumn Neilson-Herring

A Cocoa Beach resident who built a Little Free Library near Chain of Lakes Park in Titusville as a therapeutic project during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aubree Williams

The communications specialist for the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County.

Laura Gambino

The chief executive officer of the Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County.

Mary Beaumont

The youth services coordinator for Brevard County Libraries.

Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop

A Florida Tech communication instructor and cofounder and program manager of The Little Black Book Drive of the Space Coast.

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What they’re saying

“It is so important to promote literacy within our community and schools. It takes partnerships with the private sector, nonprofit sector and government. It takes a community to help a community.”

— Andrew Connors, Titusville Mayor (floridatoday.com)

“Literacy starts at birth. Singing songs, telling stories and talking during everyday routines ... all support early brain development.”

— Aubree Williams, Communications Specialist, Early Learning Coalition of Brevard County (floridatoday.com)

“Read to your children, if they're young enough, and have them visit their local libraries, bookstores and museums to become even more familiar with topics such as history, science, social studies and other fields.”

— Rolanda Hatcher-Gallop, Cofounder and Program Manager, The Little Black Book Drive of the Space Coast (floridatoday.com)

What’s next

In June, Brevard County Libraries will kick off their annual summer reading program, providing more opportunities for young readers to engage with books and earn prizes.

The takeaway

Brevard County's multifaceted approach to promoting literacy, from community-built Little Free Libraries to partnerships with national initiatives like Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, demonstrates the power of grassroots efforts and cross-sector collaboration to inspire a love of reading in children and ensure equitable access to books and resources.