Ellington

The Jackson Public Schools District and city leaders announced an initiative yesterday to recruit 30,000 young readers across the city to read 100,000 books over the summer.

"One Jackson, Many Readers" is a partnership between JPS, The Jackson Hinds Library System, United Way of the Capitol Area and private sponsors.

During a press conference at the Eudora Welty Library yesterday, United Way President Carol Burger said many students have trouble getting access to their summer reading material. She encouraged the public to participate in United Ways' "Pages of Promise" book drive. The drive needs approximately 1,000 JPS required summer-reading books. For a list of book drop-off locations and books needed, visit United Way's website.

Local bookstores such as The Book Race, Lemuria, Afrika Book Cafe will also give a 20 percent discount to students and parents purchasing required summer reading materials.