FORT PIERCE - The Lifelong Literacy Coalition of St. Lucie County has launched an innovative partnership to boost children's literacy skills, and they are turning to local barbershops to jumpstart their new effort.

Boys Booked on Barbershops (B-BOB), a national literacy initiative launched in 2004 designed to foster a love of reading in young children, is coming to a barbershop near you. Since it began four years ago, B-BOB reading nooks have debuted in more than 100 barbershops across the country from Florida to Illinois.

The Lifelong Literacy Coalition and several community leaders will kick-off the local program with an event at the Zora Neale Hurston Branch Library on Monday, July 28 at 10 a.m. Following the kick-off, reading nooks will be set up with local barbers complete with books for boys and free publications for parents that support the development of reading and other literacy skills at home.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nine out of 10 African-American students have not mastered reading by the fourth grade. That's why it is essential to find out-of-the-box ways to enhance literacy skills, particularly among boys.

"We know that one of the most stable businesses in the community is the barbershop," said Ashley Talbot, chair of the Lifelong Literacy Coalition. "Reading is an ideal way for these boys to spend their waiting time."

Local barbers are encouraged to contact the Lifelong Literacy Coalition to join the program. Books have been provided by Borders Bookstore and the Early Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County.