By Kendra Pannell, Dalton Public Schools
Dalton Public Schools officially cut the ribbon on the Dalton Reads! Mobile Library during a joyful celebration at the Junior Achievement Center in Dalton to start the school year. Timed with Georgia Reads Day, the event brought together students, families, staff, city officials, and community partners united by one shared belief: every child deserves equal access to the power of reading.
A Shared Celebration of Literacy
Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft introduced the mission behind the van: “The Dalton Reads! Mobile Library is more than a vehicle—it’s a promise to our students and families. By bringing books and resources directly into our neighborhoods, we are ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow as a reader and a leader.”
Director of Literacy Ali Finley shared how a $75,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) helped turn the vision for a mobile library into reality.
“Literacy opens doors to confidence, opportunity, and brighter futures,” Finley said. “The Dalton Reads! Mobile Library helps make that possible by placing books directly into the hands of our students and families. This initiative represents our community’s shared belief that every child deserves the gift of reading.”
With cheers and smiles all around, Dr. Craft, Ms. Finley, Dalton Public Schools staff, city officials, community partners, and attendees officially launched the Dalton Reads! Mobile Library with a ribbon cutting—marking an exciting new chapter for literacy in our community.
Community Collaboration in Action
Collective support for the mobile library demonstrates what’s possible when a community works together toward a shared goal: ensuring every child has access to the tools that spark imagination, build confidence, and open doors to future success.
The mobile library is designed to meet families where they are. In addition to visiting schools and neighborhoods, the Dalton Reads! van appears at community events, athletic games, and local celebrations. Families can enjoy story times, book giveaways, reading challenges, and opportunities to connect with educators—all right in their own neighborhoods.
Literacy That Lives Beyond the Classroom
Dalton Reads! is a year-round community asset and one of Dalton Public Schools’ most impactful literacy efforts. To date, the initiative has distributed more than 1,000 books to students across the community.
The mobile library has been featured at literacy nights at every Dalton Public School and at Harmon Field during every home football game, putting books directly into the hands of students and families. In addition, every elementary school now features a Dalton Reads! book vending machine, helping foster excitement and access to reading throughout the school year.
These efforts have also strengthened partnerships with a wide range of community organizations—all working together to support literacy beyond the classroom walls.
Living Our Vision and Mission
At Dalton Public Schools, we are committed to providing every child with a safe place to learn, the confidence to lead, and the skills to succeed. Literacy is the foundation of that commitment.
By taking reading on the road, the Dalton Reads! Mobile Library ensures that books and resources reach students regardless of where they live or attend school. When children have access to books, they strengthen academic skills while discovering their voices, building resilience, and developing a lifelong love of learning.
Join Us on the Journey
The Dalton Reads! Mobile Library belongs to the community, and we want to see it everywhere—from neighborhood block parties to city festivals. Community members and organizations interested in hosting the Dalton Reads! van at an event are encouraged to contact Ali Finley at ali.finley@dalton.k12.ga.us.
Together, we are building a future where every child in Dalton has the opportunity to thrive as a reader, a learner, and a leader. Dalton Reads! continues to be a major point of pride for Dalton Public Schools, and we’re excited to see its impact grow with each new season.
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At Believe Greater Dalton, we are proud supporters of literacy as a cornerstone of both education and workforce development. Strong readers become confident students, prepared graduates, and capable contributors to our local economy.
