March is National Reading Month, and with about 11 days still left, there’s plenty of time to make reading a bigger part of daily life. Whether you have little ones just learning to love books or you’re an adult who has been meaning to finish that novel sitting on your nightstand, there’s something happening in Scottsdale for you this month.
What National Reading Month Is All About
Every March, communities across the country celebrate literacy and encourage people of all ages to read more. The month ties in with Read Across America Day on March 2, which marks the birthday of Dr. Seuss and kicks off reading activities in schools and libraries nationwide. The idea is straightforward: make reading more accessible, more enjoyable, and more of a shared experience for everyone.
Why Reading Still Matters in 2026
Reading does a lot more than pass the time. Research from Cambridge and Warwick universities found that children who read for pleasure early in life show better memory, stronger mental health, and higher academic performance by adolescence. For adults, regular reading builds empathy, sharpens critical thinking, and keeps the brain active at every stage of life.
In a busy city like Scottsdale, picking up a book is one of the easiest ways to slow down without fully logging off.
Scottsdale Public Library: Four Locations, All Month Long
The Scottsdale Public Library system has four branches across the city: Appaloosa, Arabian, Civic Center at 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd., and Mustang at 10101 N. 90th St. All branches are open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with weekend hours and a drive-through pickup option at every location. Reach the helpline at 480-312-READ (7323) Monday through Friday.
This March, the library is running programs for every age group:
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Baby Cuddles (ages 0 to 24 months): Early literacy sessions that help babies build language skills through interaction and storytime
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Twos & Threes Together (ages 2 to 3): A fun 30-minute session with short stories, fingerplays, and action rhymes
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Family Storytime (ages 0 to 5): Evening sessions at the Arabian branch, a great option for working parents looking for a simple weeknight activity
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1,000 Books Before Kindergarten: A free, independent program challenging families to read 1,000 books together before their child starts school. No deadline, no pressure, just a goal worth working toward
Programs That Take Books Beyond the Building
The Scottsdale library’s support organization funds community programs that bring books directly to people:
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Books2Go: Free mini-libraries placed inside Scottsdale city parks where anyone can take a book or leave one behind
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Family Read Aloud Night (FRAN): Live storytelling events at Title I schools across Arizona where kids walk away with a free book, a book bag, and a warm meal
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Read On Scottsdale: A city-supported literacy initiative working alongside the Scottsdale Unified School District to help every student reach the third-grade reading benchmark
The library also hosts the annual Spirit of Literacy Awards, a community celebration honoring local individuals and businesses in Scottsdale that actively champion reading throughout the year.
Easy Ways to Get Your Family Reading This Month
No big commitment required. Here are a few simple ideas to make reading a regular habit:
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Let kids pick their own books, whether it is comics, a joke book, or something totally random
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Grab a free title at a Books2Go station in a nearby Scottsdale park
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Register for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten at any branch. It is completely free and worth every page
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Set aside 10 to 15 minutes of family reading time before bed each evening
National Reading Month wraps up at the end of March, but the habits you build now can carry through all 12 months. Visit the Scottsdale library website, browse the full March events calendar, and pick up your library card if you do not have one yet. Your next favorite read is waiting.
Sources: scottsdalelibrary.org, scottsdalelibraryfriends.org, cam.ac.uk, rif.org
Header Image Source: Hümâ H. Yardım on Unsplash
