March is more than just beach weather in Ormond Beach. It is National Reading Month, a nationwide celebration that started with Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2 and grew into a full month dedicated to books, stories, and the simple habit of reading. The Ormond Beach community has no shortage of ways to join in, from free library programs to digital reading challenges built for every age and reading level.
Whether you are raising a future bookworm or just trying to spend less time doomscrolling, there is still time to make something of this month.
Why Reading Matters More Than You Think
In a world of endless scrolling, sitting down with a book might seem like a tough sell. But the research tells a different story. Kids who read for pleasure early in life score higher on cognitive tests, build stronger vocabulary, and enter adolescence with measurably better mental health. Adults benefit just as much. Regular reading reduces stress, improves memory retention, and builds empathy in ways that scrolling through a social media feed simply cannot replicate.
Here is what consistent reading does across different age groups:
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Young children: stronger vocabulary, better language development, improved focus
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School-age kids: higher test scores, better writing skills, stronger comprehension
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Teens: reduced stress and anxiety, sharper critical thinking, greater creativity
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Adults: lower cortisol levels, sharper long-term memory, a broader worldview
What the Ormond Beach Library Has Going On
The Ormond Beach Regional Library at 30 South Beach Street runs free programs year-round, and there are still great options available this week and beyond. Here is what is currently running:
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Ready to Learn Pre-K Storytime: Every Tuesday from 10:00 to 10:30 AM in the Sandcastle Auditorium. An interactive literacy program for children ages 3 to 5, co-sponsored by the Friends of the Ormond Beach Library. It combines books, songs, and movement to build early language skills.
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STREAM Engineering Programs: Ongoing sessions combining Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math for school-age kids throughout the year. A hands-on way to connect reading with real-world skills.
Browse the full schedule on the library’s event calendar.
Log Your Reads with Beanstack
Volusia County Public Library uses Beanstack, a free digital platform where kids, teens, and adults can log reading time, earn virtual badges, and enter prize drawings. It is part of the library’s Volusia Reads Together initiative, built around creating shared reading moments across the community. Challenges are organized by age group, so the whole family can participate at once.
For families with very young children, the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a standout. It is designed for kids ages 0 to 6 and makes it easy to track reading progress while building the early literacy habits that set kids up for a stronger start in school.
Simple Habits That Actually Stick
Building a reading routine does not require a big overhaul. A few small, consistent habits make a real difference:
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Set aside 15 to 20 minutes every evening for reading, completely separate from screens
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Let kids pick their own books. Reader choice drives engagement more than any curriculum
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Keep books in shared spaces like the kitchen or living room so they are always within reach
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Read aloud together, even with kids who already read independently
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Swap one evening of streaming for a chapter or two
One More Week to Make It Count
National Reading Month wraps up at the end of March, but the habits you build this week will carry long past that. The Ormond Beach Regional Library is free, open to all residents, and stocked with resources for every kind of reader.
Call (386) 676-4191 or visit volusialibrary.org to check out upcoming events and get your family reading today.
Sources: rif.org, volusialibrary.org, cam.ac.uk, daytonabeach.macaronikid.com
Header Image Source: Greg Rosenke on Unsplash
