Reading is the foundation upon which all other academic skills are built. Beginning Thursday, August 21st, the Ohoopee Regional Library System will present an innovative reading program at the Vidalia-Toombs County Public Library. Known as "Prime Time Family Reading", this family literacy program was started in Louisiana in 1991, but has since spread across many other states. The Vidalia program will feature bilingual English/Spanish sessions as the library offers a special welcome to all local families. School-age children and their parents will meet at the Vidalia library each Thursday for six weeks where they will receive a book to take home and read. When they return the following week, bilingual Savannah educator, Melody Rodriguez, community leader, Andrea Hinojosa, and Library Director, Dusty Gres, will conduct book discussion and storytelling programs for family members. According to library director, Dusty Gres, the sessions are designed to promote several different goals. "Prime Time reinforces family literacy by encouraging parents and children to read together," she said. "In turn, reading together helps to build stronger bonds among families. This program also encourages parents to enter or continue their own educational programs to improve their employment opportunities. The program is designed for all family members to participate." Gres said that reading material would include a variety of materials including folk tales and other stories specially designed for families to read together at home. "We are very excited about this program and have worked hard to remove all the barriers that might keep local families from participating," Gres said. "Every part of this program is free. We will serve a free meal to participating families beginning at 6pm each Thursday, and we will offer a separate program for the very young children as well. " Families are asked to register for this free program in advance by calling Andrea Hinojosa at 912-526-5451 (For Spanish language registration) or the Vidalia-Toombs County Public Library ( for English registration) at 912-537-9283. The Vidalia-Toombs County Public Library is located at 610 Jackson Street, off Hwy 280 in downtown Vidalia.