Photo Credit: MCMLSNews
Texas America250 Reading Challenge: Celebrate and Learn Our Nation’s History at Libraries in Montgomery County
The Genealogy and Preservation Center, and Montgomery County Memorial Library System (MCMLS) in Montgomery County, in partnership with the Texas Center for the Book and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC), invites Texans of all ages to participate in the statewide Texas America250 Reading Challenge, which will continue through the end of the year 2026.
From February 15 to Dec. 31, 2026, all MCMLS visitors who reside in the state of Texas are invited to log 2,500 minutes (41.6 hours) of reading, state parks visits and/or service activity as part of the national America250 America Gives initiative, in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary.
Upon completion of the Reading Challenge, participants are eligible to receive a special certificate signed by Governor Greg Abbott. The Texas America250 Reading Challenge is self-reported. Participants can track their time using the “Mosey Along the Reading Trail” Log, available at their MCMLS local library, or using their own reading log. Once participants complete their log, they can go to their MCMLS local library, tell their librarian, and receive their certificate. Full guidelines are available at your library or online at https://www.tsl.texas.gov/america250/challenge.
“The Genealogy and Preservation Center, and MCMLS, encourage participation in the Reading Challenge,” said MCMLS Genealogy Librarian Laura Politte. “We look forward to joining Texans across the state reading, volunteering and visiting our beautiful Texas state parks as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We want to encourage all ages to learn the history of our country, our state, and our ancestors.”
Participants can log their time:
- Reading books and/or listening to audiobooks. The Texas Center for the Book especially encourages reading about Texas and American history, as well as Texas and American nature, wildlife and space exploration topics.
- Attending library storytimes or other library events.
- Volunteering in their local communities.
- Visiting a Texas State Park.
Learn more about Texas America250 at www.texasamerica250.com. For more information about the Genealogy and Preservation Center and MCMLS, visit www.countylibrary.org
Source: Montgomery County Memorial Library System
