February is African-American History Month and, as part of the National Council of Teachers of English reading initiative, Dr. Patricia Waters’ Young Adult Literature Class at Troy University is conducting read-ins at the Troy Public Library.

The read-ins began last week and will continue today and Thursday beginning at 3:30 p.m. Children of all ages are invited.

Waters said the university students read aloud selections of their choice and these readings are a connection to the African American culture. The children also have opportunities to read if they so choose.

“The annual National African American Read-In is a long running program of 27 years or more,” Waters said. “The books read are by African-American authors and illustrators. The interaction between the university students and the kids, whether the students read or the kids, fosters deeper learning and understanding of the text.”

Waters said goal of the read-in is to make the celebration of African American literacy a part of Black History Month Activities.

“The Troy Public Library has a large selection of African American literature for children of all ages,” Waters said, adding that the read-in is a learning experience for members of the Young Adult Literature Class as they are introduced to authors and illustrators they might not have known otherwise.

Some members of the Young Adult Literature Class plan to go into education and the read-in is a hands-on learning experience for them.

Teresa Colvin, TPL children and young adult librarian, said she displays books by African American authors throughout the month of February.

“There are many outstanding African American authors and illustrators and the read-in is a wonderful way to present them to children and the university students as well,” she said. “We have parents that have come to the read-ins and we welcome them.

“Thursday is the last day for the read-in but we have a large selection of books by African American authors for all ages,” Colvin said. “These books are available throughout the year. We encourage people of all ages to visit the Troy Public Library, where we strive to be a total information and resource center for our community.”