Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is partnering with the Jewish Council for the Aging Heyman Interages Center (JCA), or Interages, to celebrate “Read Across America Week” with a reading program at three MCPL branches. The celebration will take place Saturday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 6.

The one-on-one reading program will pair JCA volunteers with children in kindergarten through third grade. The volunteers have been recruited, vetted and trained by JCA in communication and intergenerational interaction. Reading sessions will be at the Gaithersburg, Wheaton and White Oak libraries.

“Instilling a love for reading in our young people is one of the most important things we can do to provide great educations for our upcoming generations,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Having a reading partner often is the key to making reading fun and interesting. The Read Across America program in which Montgomery County Public Libraries partners with the Jewish Council for the Aging is a model program worth replicating wherever possible, even within our own homes.”

Participation does not require advance registration. Children may bring their own book to the reading sessions or select one from the library.

Program dates, times and locations:

• Saturday, March 2. 1-3 p.m. White Oak Library, 11701 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring.
• Saturday, March 2. 3-5 p.m. Wheaton Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
• Sunday, March 3. 1-3 p.m. Gaithersburg Library, 18330 Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg.

For more information about the program, contact Clotilde Puértolas at Clotilde.puertolas@montgomerycountymd.gov.