Mayor Stephanie Terry today announced the launch of We Read, a citywide call to action designed to improve literacy and create a culture of reading across Evansville, with the goal of ensuring Evansville reaches the goal of 95% of students reading at grade level by the end of third grade.

The State of Indiana has set that goal for all municipalities by 2027.

We Read is led through the City of Evansville’s youth development focus and supported by the Mayor’s Education Roundtable, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC), the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library (EVPL), and Mattingly Charities.

The initiative aligns closely with broader community goals, including Talent EVV’s workforce development efforts and the long-term outcomes of the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, recognizing that early literacy is foundational to educational success, talent retention, and the city’s future economic vitality.

“This is a citywide effort, because literacy is a citywide responsibility,” Mayor Terry said. “If we want Evansville to grow, attract talent, and thrive long-term, we have to start by making sure our children can read confidently and successfully by third grade.

We Read is about improving literacy, creating a culture of reading across Evansville, and making sure every child has the support they need at home, in school, and throughout the community.”

Phase One: Building Home Libraries

Phase One of We Read focuses on increasing access to books in the home. With funding provided by Mattingly Charities and in partnership with the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana, the initiative will provide 13 age-appropriate books to every K–3 student in the Evansville Promise Neighborhood, helping children begin building their own home libraries.

Research consistently shows that children who grow up with books in the home have stronger literacy outcomes. By making books a visible and consistent part of daily life, this phase is designed to help close literacy gaps that often emerge early, particularly in low-income households.

Phase Two: A Community Call to Action

Phase Two expands We Read beyond book distribution and calls on the entire Evansville community: residents, schools, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and businesses. The goal is to help make reading unavoidable and accessible throughout the city.

This phase reinforces the message that literacy is not confined to classrooms alone, but is strengthened when children see reading modeled and valued across their neighborhoods, workplaces, and public spaces.

“Literacy is the foundation for everything that comes next: academic achievement, workforce readiness, and lifelong learning,” said Dr. Darla Hoover, Superintendent of EVSC. “We Read reflects our shared commitment to improving literacy outcomes while building a culture of reading that extends beyond school walls. When families, schools, and the broader community work together, our students are better positioned to succeed.”