Cabot reading bus

CABOT, AR - School is out for the summer, but that doesn't mean the learning should end.

The Central Arkansas Library System and local school districts are trying to encourage kids to keep reading over the summer break.

The Cabot School District has come up with a unique way to keep kids reading. Deputy Superintendent Dr. Harold Jeffcoat says a lot of people have compared it to an ice cream truck. "When our kids hear the music, they can come to the bus and check out a book."

The Cabot School District has a reading bus. It's a retired school bus with a new look. Filled with 20,000 books, the bus will travel through Cabot this summer stopping at elementary schools for kids to keep up with reading.

Dr. Jeffcoat says the remodeled but took about 8 months to complete. "We took out all the seats, put in carpet, painted the interior, put in books shelves, and wrapped the bus."

The goal is to encourage kids and their parents to keep their minds active over the summer break by making it as easy as possible. Eastside Elementary School Principal
Jill Fletcher says reading together as a family is so important. "That's another wonderful opportunity about the bus. We have books from Pre-K to adult, so all family members can get in on the adventure."

The Cabot School District has another 20,000 books in storage ready to hit the road later this summer. All books were donations from the community from book drives.

The Central Arkansas Library Summer Reading Program is also going on at different community branches. Prizes are given out each week to readers. The main library downtown Little Rock has several other summer activities and programs happening.