The 16th annual Riot of Reading: Family Literacy Fair, takes place on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ecole Mission Central, 7466 Welton Street.
The annual event is made possible by support from many groups including the Mission chapter of The Friends of the Library.
Bev James, president of Friends of the Library, has been involved with th group for the past decade and as far back as she can remember, her members have helped to put on the Riot of Reading.
“I love to read and I can’t imagine a child not being subjected to literacy and good books and having that opportunity,” said James.
While the main focus of Friends of the Library is to be fundraisers - all of the money they raise go back to the local library system – they also support community events, like the Riot of Reading.
“I like it because it brings in young families and, maybe, opens them up to the concept that it’s a good idea to read to their children or take them to the library. It’s all about awareness,” said James.
The group holds book sales throughout the year and host an annual Quiz Night in October.
“We don’t raise a lot of money, but what I like about it is everything that we raise goes back to the library.”
With 18 active members, James said the Friends of the Library are always looking for more volunteers.
Anyone interested can come by the Mission Library and pick up more information, or attend one of the group’s meetings. They meet the second Wednesday of each month at the Mission Library.