HOUSTON – The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Harris County Public Library, and Houston Public Library are uniting to host Family Literacy Day on Saturday, June 7, commemorating the late First Lady Barbara Bush’s 100th birthday on June 8, 2025. Library branches across the city and county invite families of all ages to celebrate this special occasion and promote the joy of reading together.
Barbara Bush pioneered a literacy movement across America and believed that learning how to read, write, and comprehend was a fundamental human right. Using her platform as U.S. First Lady, she placed her cause of literacy at the forefront of our nation’s priorities, advocating it to be an economic, social, and moral imperative. She was a staunch supporter of family literacy, promoting reading and learning together. She believed that parents are their child’s first teachers and that reading together strengthened bonds and enriched families.
“Mrs. Bush was a lifelong advocate for family literacy and believed that libraries were more than just places to access books,” said Julie Finck, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. “Since Mrs. Bush’s passing in 2018, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation has invested in the creation of more than 40 Family Place Libraries in branches across the Harris County and Houston Public Library systems. It is only fitting that we celebrate her 100th birthday by doing something that was of the utmost importance to her – championing literacy, strengthening families, and lifelong learning.”
On June 7, families can enjoy interactive story times, arts and crafts, and other special literacy-focused activities, including a special Barbara Bush-themed coloring page. There will also be resources available for parents to support literacy at home. All activities are free and open to the public.
“We are delighted to join forces with our longstanding partner, the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, to honor Mrs. Bush’s legacy on this special occasion,” said Edward Melton, Harris County Public Library Director. “We are fortunate to have the Barbara Bush Branch Library located in Cypress, Texas, which will be a focal point in our system on Family Literacy Day and to have built a fleet of Curiosity Cruiser mobile libraries serving families across Harris County thanks to the generosity of the Foundation and its Ladies for Literacy Guild.”
“Barbara Bush’s 100th birthday is an extraordinary opportunity for us to honor her legacy and shine the light on the importance of family literacy,” said Sandy Gaw, Houston Public Library Foundation Director. “We are proud to have the Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza as part of the Houston Public Library system and to partner with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation to transform many of our branches into Family Place Libraries.”
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