Due to budget cuts, the Jacksonville Public Library was forced to eliminate many regularly scheduled activities for children at the Main Library, including most of the programming for story time.
In an effort to maintain Downtown's reputation as a center for assisted literacy, Chamblin's Uptown has initiated "Kids Book Club" from 4-5 p.m. the second to last Wednesday of each month.
"We didn't want the children to lose story time, so we decided to do it ourselves," said Jennifer O'Donnell, Chamblin's Uptown manager.
She has scheduled a slate of guest readers, most of who work Downtown.
Upcoming readers are County Court Judge Eleni Derke on Nov. 14, Gabriella Slade on Nov. 21 and JAX Chamber Director of Downtown Engagement Tony Allegretti on Nov. 28. Santa Claus is scheduled to read to children Dec. 19 and Holland & Knight partner George Gabel has reserved Jan. 9 for his appearance at the club, O'Donnell said.
The readers volunteered to devote an hour to the effort when they heard about the club, she said.
"I'm always looking for more celebrity readers. We need a fireman," said O'Donnell.
For more details or to volunteer, call (904) 674-0868.
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