What to watch: The Texas State Library and Archives Commission launched the Texas America 250 Reading Challenge on Jan. 1 in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The year-long program encourages Texans of all ages to log 2,500 minutes, a little over  40 hours, of reading and related activities by the end of the year. Participants who complete the challenge earn a certificate signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Why it matters: For Midland families, the challenge offers a simple, free way to read and learn more every day. It also gives families a low-pressure way to connect kids with history, using resources already available in Midland. Midland County Libraries can help families track their progress, either digitally or on paper. Participants who complete the program also receive prizes in addition to the official state certificate.

The big picture: The initiative ties into America’s 250th anniversary with a Texas-focused approach. Participants can count time spent reading books about Texas or U.S history, attending library programs, visiting Texas state parks, or volunteering with local organizations.

Families can log minutes in a variety of ways, reading biographies and historical accounts from local libraries, volunteering with organizations like the Midland Historical Society, or taking a short day trip to nearby destinations such as Monahans Sandhills State Park.

To make participation easy, the program includes printable Texas-shaped reading logs, suggested reading lists for all ages, posters, bookmarks, and an FAQ.

What’s next: Families can sign up through one of our local Midland libraries or online, and track their progress throughout the year, with the goal of completing the challenge by Dec. 31 to receive the certificate and prize entry.