City officials expand 'Hattiesburg Reads' initiative

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The city of Hattiesburg opened its third library at McAllisters on Hardy street Tuesday as part of its 'Hattiesburg Reads' initiative.

Mayor Johnny DuPree said the city is encouraging children and their families to read at restaurants.

The goal is to bring families together and to encourage literacy at all ages.

DuPree said, "Reading takes you places you can't go."

He added, "It prepares you for, the life after childhood. You need to be able to communicate, and being able to communicate means you need to be able to read and understand that."

Other restaurants and fast food chains, like Burger King and O'Charley's are part of the reading initiative.