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UIndy to host first family-friendly Community Literacy Day on Feb. 28

February 24, 2026 in Press Releases

Children reading a book together.

The University of Indianapolis will host its first Community Literacy Day on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Health Pavilion (HPA) on campus. The free, family-friendly event is designed to highlight both the fun and the importance of literacy and inspire readers of all ages.

Every child who attends Community Literacy Day, from birth through eighth grade, will be able to choose a free book for themselves to take home. The event is a collaboration with the Indiana State Literacy Association as well as the Indy Book Project who is providing the free books.

Families will also have the opportunity to meet and interact with local authors and storytellers throughout the day including:

  • John David Anderson — Best-selling author of several critically-acclaimed novels for young people including “Posted,” “Granted,” “Ms. Bixby’s Last Day” and “Finding Orion”
  • Deedee Cummings — Therapist and author of “I Want to be a Bennett Belle” and the “Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess” series which was inspired by Cummings’ desire to see more diverse and inclusive children’s literature
  • Deborah Asante — Award-winning performance storyteller with Arts for Learning Indiana

In addition to author interactions, Community Literacy Day will include a number of other free hands-on activities and interactive booths, such as puppet shows for younger children, crafts like friendship bracelets, games and previews of upcoming theater performances. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks outside the Health Pavilion.

“Community Literacy Day is all about bringing together students, families and community members to honor the creative voices of youth authors and celebrate the transformative power of literacy,” said Tracy Johnson, assistant professor of education at the University of Indianapolis. “We hope this is an opportunity for the many voices in our community to come together to share the joy of literacy with our children. We hope kids will leave our event excited about the ways that reading, writing and oral language can empower them to share their own stories with the world.”

WHAT: Community Literacy Day at the University of Indianapolis

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

WHERE: Health Pavilion (HPA) on the UIndy campus

PARKING: Free parking is available outside the Health Pavilion located at 1643 E. Hanna Ave.

For more information about Community Literacy Day, or if you would have photo needs, please contact UIndy’s Director of Public & Media Relations Dan Klein at kleind@uindy.edu.