Hattiesburg Reads adds new location

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The City of Hattiesburg has been selected as the most successful small city in America for its Hattiesburg Reads program.

But this is not the first time the city has been honored for its literacy program. The city's Little Free Library also received this award not too long ago.

A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday at Chili's to help celebrate the fourth location for Hattiesburg Reads.

Mayor of Hattiesburg, Johnny DuPree said, "It's all about early childhood. It's all about preparing our children for the future. We hope that they share the books. We hope that they not only get the books and read them there, but they actually take them with them for those that didn't finish reading. We have people all over Hattiesburg that donate the books and they have to come through the appropriate screening to make sure their age appropriate."

Two Burger King locations, O' Charley's and McAlisters also have Hattiesburg Reads at their restaurants.