AUSTIN, Texas—Blackshear Elementary School and the George Washington Carver branch of the Austin Public Library invite students and parents to participate in Family Literacy Night to promote literacy among families.

What: Literacy-related activities involving new and classic children’s books will take place throughout the library for students and parents as well as a writing activity with Jeff Wilson of Houston-Tillotson University and Donna Hoffman, executive director of Blackshear Bridge. Reading buddies from Tarrytown United Methodist Church will also participate in the event with their student buddies.

When: 5:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18

Where: George Washington Carver branch of the Austin Public Library, 1161 Angelina St.

Background: While schools traditionally host Literacy night at their own campuses, Blackshear Elementary School has partnered with a public library in order to ensure low income families are familiar with public libraries when their children are young. Blackshear and Graham elementary schools were awarded Connect 4 Literacy grants recently, which allow them to organize activities between the schools, two of Austin’s public libraries and Connect Texas Library System. The grant also allowed Blackshear to refresh classroom novel sets, nooks and iPads to promote literacy and technology in the classroom.

For more information, please contact Betty Jenkins, principal of Blackshear Elementary School at (512) 414-2021 or email bjenkins@austinisd.org, or Lela Ellison, Carver Branch Library’s teen services librarian, at (512) 974-1010 or Lela.Ellison@austintexas.gov.