Million Reads Challenge

We are officially launching Framingham’s Million Reads Challenge, a city-wide initiative with a single, exciting goal: to collectively read 1,000,000 books as a community by June 30, 2027. When a community reads together, we don’t just support our students—we build a more connected, curious, and empowered city.

We want our children to experience reading not just as an academic requirement, but as a lifelong source of joy, imagination, and relaxation. One of the most effective ways to encourage this is for children to see the adults in their lives engaging with books. By taking time to read, we show our kids that literacy is a rewarding part of everyday life.

How You Can Help Us Reach 1,000,000 Books: To help build a culture of reading at home, here are a few simple ways to incorporate books into your family's routine:

• Families and Caregivers: Support at home by modeling your own reading habits, creating a brief device-free family reading window, discussing stories together, and encouraging your children to choose any reading materials they enjoy—including graphic novels, comic books, and audiobooks from the public library.
• Residents & Neighbors: Make reading a visible part of your daily routine. Share recommendations with friends, utilize our public libraries, and enjoy a book in our parks, coffee shops, and community spaces.
• City Leaders & Committee Members: Publicly champion the initiative. Share what you are currently reading at the start of meetings, in newsletters, or during community events.
• Local Businesses: Consider hosting a community bookshelf, creating a comfortable reading area in your waiting area or breakroom, or displaying signs highlighting what your team is reading.
• Community Organizations: Host book conversations and create welcoming spaces where families and community members can gather to read and celebrate stories together.

One city. One community. One million stories.