RIF coordinator Nancy G. Sewell said reading is imperative.

“Reading is fun is of utmost importance,” Sewell said. “When you make reading fun, children tend to get into it … hopefully, they’ll (students) enjoy reading and make a lifelong commitment to reading.”

Program director Jacinta Thrash-Bright said during the event students will be able to read books written by African-American authors.

“We’re letting children know people like them have written books and that if they believe, they can do anything they put their minds to, and do it too,” Bright said.

And because students will be out on that day, Bright said it was an ideal time to expose students to a full day of reading.

“It’s a good time for them to be able to come out and honor President Barack Obama, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln,” Bright said. “We’re encouraging all daycare centers to come out too. There’s a range of books from preschool on up.”

Created in 1993 as a program to encourage young people to read, RIF is currently supported by the city of Selma, Dallas County Commission, AmeriCorps and other local volunteers.