In a landmark moment for early childhood literacy in Jacksonville, Mayor Donna Deegan and former Mayor John Peyton today announced a transformative $1 million gift from the Gate Foundation to expand access to books for the city’s youngest learners.

Standing together at City Hall, the mayors unveiled the revival and expansion of Mayor Peyton’s original book club—now reimagined as The Mayor’s Book Club. The new initiative will ensure that every four-year-old in Jacksonville receives a free book each month, thanks to the generous donation from Mayor Peyton and the Gate Foundation. The donation ensures the books will be mailed out countywide or distributed in childcare centers for the next four years. The program will be administered by the Kids Hope Alliance and details on how to register for it will be announced in the coming weeks.

“When John launched his book club nearly two decades ago, he planted a powerful seed,” said Mayor Deegan. “Today, we’re helping that seed grow into something extraordinary—fueling imagination, curiosity, and literacy for thousands of children across Jacksonville.”

The announcement builds on the momentum of Mayor Deegan’s successful River City Readers initiative, which has already logged more than 3 million minutes of reading citywide. The program features a mobile bookmobile that visits neighborhoods throughout Jacksonville and is supported by encouraging signs of progress—most recently, third grade reading scores in Duval County rose above 50%.

“This is more than just a book club. It’s a bridge between administrations and a bipartisan investment in something that transcends politics: our children’s future,” said Deegan.
The newly renamed Mayor’s Book Club is designed to remain a lasting program that can be embraced and sustained by future city leaders. The monthly delivery of free books to four-year-olds is expected to foster a lifelong love of reading and strengthen school readiness.

Former Mayor Peyton said, “I’ve always believed in the power of books to change lives. By bringing this club back and expanding its reach, we are sending a powerful message: Every child in Jacksonville deserves the chance to discover the joy of reading.”





About the Mayor’s Book Club: The Mayor’s Book Club is a monthly book distribution program that provides age-appropriate, high-quality books by mail to every four-year-old in Jacksonville, free of charge. The program aims to increase early literacy, foster a love of reading, and prepare children for academic success.
 
About the River City Readers: Launched by Mayor Donna Deegan, River City Readers is Jacksonville’s citywide literacy campaign that encourages children to read and log their minutes through a fun, mobile-friendly platform. The program includes a city bookmobile, public reading challenges, and community partnerships focused on improving literacy rates.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.jacksonville.gov/rivercityreaders.