Utah State Hosted Statewide Library Read-a-Thon
The Merrill-Cazier Library invited students to participate in a statewide initiative focused on improving literacy.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Merrill-Cazier Library in Logan hosted a statewide Read-a-Thon event on October 2. More than 120 students gathered in the New Books Reading Lounge to support the statewide effort to encourage daily reading habits and improve literacy.
Why it matters
The event aims to strengthen literacy skills by promoting consistent reading routines among students. By providing accessible resources, the initiative seeks to foster a lasting culture of engagement with literature.
The library event saw 120 students participate in the literacy initiative. The program recommended that attendees commit to a minimum of one hour of reading time.
The players
Merrill-Cazier Library
This is the primary academic library serving students and faculty at Utah State University.
Utah State University
This public research university is the host institution for the library branch located in Logan.
Center for Academic Belonging and Learning Excellence
This university department provides academic support resources and assisted in the coordination of the library event.
The details
Attendees utilized the New Books Reading Lounge, which featured blankets, books, and a hot chocolate bar to support readers. Students accessed digital materials through a QR code that connected them directly to the university Libby account for audiobooks and e-books.
Timeline
The Read-a-Thon event took place on October 2, 2026.
Market Landscape
This event aligns with the broader institutional push to integrate digital literacy tools into traditional campus academic life. It reflects a growing strategy among academic libraries to modernize community engagement to compete for student attention.
Students at Utah State University can continue to access the library's digital e-book and audiobook collections through their existing Libby accounts. Future events may offer expanded capacity based on student feedback and interest from this initial session.
The takeaway
Organizing communal reading spaces provides students with accessible environments that encourage academic and personal literacy. Individuals can implement similar daily habits by utilizing digital library resources to maintain consistent reading routines.
Further reading
Learn more about local community efforts at Logan Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Utah Statesman.
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