Jackson Free Press

Everyone knows that a trip to a barbershop can often mean long waits before you get in the chair—in some cases, extremely long waits.

And for kids, it's sometimes difficult to sit still while waiting for their turn. A new program has a plan for those restless tikes: Give them a book to read.

On June 4, the Jackson Council Parent Teacher Association and the Jackson City Council rolled out Books in the Barbershop at Champion Barber Shop (4509 Office Park Drive). The initiative aims to increase student achievement and male engagement and improve the reading skills by, eventually, putting a little library into every barbershop in the city.

"If you want boys to read, why not put (books) in the places they go frequently?" Rosaline McCoy, president of the Jackson Council PTA, told the Jackson Free Press.

McCoy said nearly two dozen shops have signed up, and some of the barbers have agreed to undergo literacy training so they can speak the same language as literacy coaches at Jackson Public Schools. She said the campaign is a way for the community to help local schools prepare young people for the statewide third-grade literacy test, which has been a lightning rod for controversy.

Jackson City Council President De'Keither Stamps, of Ward 4, called the initiative a creative way to connect local businesses, parents and young men of our community.

"Historically, barber shops have served as a hub for young men to discuss cultural, political and community-related topics. For generations to come, fathers will continue to bring their sons into barber shops, so why not provide these popular, local establishments with the resources needed to promote and encourage literacy among our community," Stamps said in a press release.

McCoy invited community members to donate books, which they can drop off at the JPS Partners in Education Office and City Hall, in Stamps' office. Donations can also be taken to the United Way of the Capital Area at 843 N President Street.

Down the road, McCoy said the group has plans to expand the program to beauty salons to help girls.

"It's a really neat idea, and we have enough soldiers in the battle field with boots on the ground," she said.

Pilot book station locations include the following:

• Champions Barber Shop

• Kut Creators Barber Shop

• Nice Creations Barber Shop

• Adam’s Corner

• Hopeful Barber Shop/Salon

• Razor Sharp Barber Shop

• Lan-Lan’s Corner Barber Shop

• Custom Cuts and Styles

• Lil Dave’s Barber Shop

• Creative Hair Designs/Barber Shop

• Hair Trapreneur Barber and Beauty Studio