March is National Reading Month, and for Short Pump residents, that means one whole month dedicated to picking up a book, reading with the kids, or finally working through the stack on the nightstand. Whether you have a five-year-old who is just learning their letters or a teenager who claims they “hate reading,” this month has something for everyone.
Let’s dig into why this month matters and how Short Pump families can actually make the most of it.
Wait, Why March? Blame Dr. Seuss
National Reading Month lands in March as a nod to beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, born on March 2, 1904. His contributions to early childhood literacy were so significant that he received a Pulitzer Prize in 1984 for his work in educating America’s children and their parents.
Today, the month-long celebration encourages children, families, and communities to make reading a daily habit, with schools, libraries, and community partners participating through reading challenges, literacy events, story hours, and classroom activities. The NEA also marks March 2 as Read Across America Day, a nationwide push to get students of all ages reading together.
The Real Reasons Reading Is Worth Your Time
Reading is not just an academic task. The benefits stretch well beyond grades and test scores, and they apply to every age group in your household.
- Kids who read regularly tend to develop stronger vocabulary, better comprehension, and sharper critical thinking skills earlier on
- Teens who read fiction consistently show higher levels of empathy and emotional intelligence
- Adults who read as little as 30 minutes a day reduce cognitive decline and stress levels significantly
- The whole family benefits from shared reading time, which strengthens communication and creates a natural space for conversation
Reading strengthens vocabulary, critical thinking, imagination, and confidence in learners of all ages. That is a pretty solid return on the cost of a library card, which in Short Pump is completely free.
Your Local Library Is Doing More Than You Think
The Twin Hickory Area Library, located at 5001 Twin Hickory Road in Glen Allen, is the go-to branch for Short Pump families and arguably one of the best-equipped libraries in the Richmond metro area. The two-story, 40,000-square-foot facility features a colorful ocean-themed children’s area and storytime room, a dedicated teen space called “Planet Teen,” quiet areas for work and research, a Digital Media Lab, and a convenient drive-thru book return and pickup window.
Here is what Henrico County Public Library (HCPL) currently offers that families in Short Pump should know about:
- In-person and virtual storytimes for young readers, including pajama storytimes every Thursday evening via Webex from home
- 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a milestone reading program with prizes for little ones, is building early literacy
- Storyline, a free phone line at (804) 501-1946 with recorded stories for preschool and early elementary kids, updated weekly
- Book Club in a Bag, where adult reading groups can check out eight copies of a title for six weeks at no cost
- All Henrico Reads 2026, featuring the novel Gray Dawn by New York Times bestselling author Walter Mosley, with a community author event on Thursday, March 26 at 7 PM
- OverDrive digital access through henrico.overdrive.com for ebooks and audiobooks available 24/7 on any device
Short Pump’s Bookstores Are Worth Browsing, Too
If you prefer to own your reads, Short Pump has options. The Barnes & Noble at Short Pump Town Center is a community favorite, with a large children’s section and regular in-store events. Books-A-Million in the area also offers comfortable browsing, a cafe, and a clearance section that is genuinely worth digging through.
For something closer to downtown Richmond, the Fountain Bookstore in Shockoe Bottom is an indie staple dating back to 1978 and worth the short drive.
Reading Is Fundamental’s Rally to Read 100 challenge runs through March 31, 2026, and is designed to inspire children to read 100 books, with free literacy resources available for both families and educators.
This March, Short Pump has every resource a reading family could want, from a fully stocked neighborhood library with free programs to local bookstores, digital lending, and national literacy initiatives. Visit the Twin Hickory Area Library this month, grab a library card if you do not have one yet, and make reading a habit the whole household can get behind. One good book at a time adds up faster than you think.
Sources: henricolibrary.org, stores.barnesandnoble.com, fountainbookstore.com, rif.org
Header Image Source: Anita Jankovic on Unsplash
