Read for the Record at Menlo Park Library on Oct. 22

On Thursday, October 22, the Menlo Park Library will be hosting extra story times — a total of four events — as part of a global campaign to break the world reading record for the most people reading the same book on the same day.

The local library is diving in head-first as a first-time participant in Read for the Record, an annual event by the early education organization Jumpstart now celebrating its 10th anniversary of highlighting the importance of building children’s vocabulary and love for reading. Since the campaign’s inception in 2006, more than 14.5 million people have been reached by the initiative.

Families attending the Read for the Record events at the Menlo Park Library will be able to enjoy special storytime sessions featuring stories, songs, and free books to take home. There will be multiple events at the library’s two locations: the main library at 800 Alma Street will have storytimes at 10:15 am, 11:15 am, and 4:00 pm. The Belle Haven Branch at 413 Ivy Drive will host an event at 12:00 pm.