Read to Reef Marks 10 Years Connecting Baltimore Kids to National Aquarium

At the National Aquarium and Enoch Pratt Free Library, organizers marked a decade of Read to Reef, the literacy-and-conservation program launched in 2016 that links Baltimore children to books and free Aquarium visits. The program is aimed at children in fifth grade and younger and allows a participating child to redeem a Read to Reef bookmark for free admission to the National Aquarium for up to six guests.

Read to Reef requires children to read at least five aquatic- and conservation-themed books to qualify. Families pick up bookmarks at Enoch Pratt Free Library branches, with at least one notice saying bookmarks were distributed from October 1–31 at any Pratt location while supplies lasted; one source specifies pickup with a library card. A Fox report noted those bookmarks from the fall 2024 cycle could be redeemed through January 20, 2025, with some blackout dates applying.

Organizational tallies for the program’s reach vary across recent reporting. Citybiz and WMAR state Read to Reef has connected more than 25,000 children to books and learning opportunities since 2016 and brought more than 98,000 readers and family members to the National Aquarium. WMAR adds that children have read more than 126,000 books through the program. By contrast, Fox and National Aquarium-branded copy describe the program as engaging nearly 20,000 young readers and producing more than 77,000 free Aquarium visits, while saying participants have turned the pages of over 100,000 ocean-inspired books. An Aquarium Instagram snippet cited 3,101 children completing the spring and fall 2025 book clubs, and also contained text saying “2026 marks 10 years of Read to Reef,” a date that conflicts with other outlets’ references to a spring 2025 anniversary.

Leaders framed the milestone as a partnership success. Jennifer Driban, Interim President and CEO of the National Aquarium, said, “For the past 10 years, Read to Reef has shown what’s possible when combining literacy, family engagement and shared experiences,” and added, “Through this program, children can discover a love of reading while building a deeper connection to the natural world. Our partnership with the Pratt Library is proof of what can happen when two trusted community institutions work together.” Chad Helton, President and CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, said, “Read to Reef is a powerful example of how strong partnerships can expand opportunities for children and families across Baltimore,” and, “Together with the National Aquarium, we’ve helped families build lasting reading habits, connect with libraries at branch locations throughout the city, and experience firsthand how stories can spark curiosity and open the door to new worlds.” Meghan McCorkell, Chief Marketing, Communications, and Strategy Officer at Enoch Pratt, said, “Our nearly decade-long partnership with the National Aquarium has created this amazing platform for children to not only explore some cool books but also engage with marine science in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to celebrate 10 years of our Read to Reef book club this March,” and added, “This program helps children understand their role in preserving our planet and opens the door to deepening their own relationship with nature. It’s amazing to see the positive impact of this partnership year after year.”

Parents who have participated have reported concrete effects: one wrote that the program is “forming a young marine scientist in my home,” and another said, “my toddler is now shark-obsessed.” The program’s visual record includes event photography credited to Theresa Keil at a Read To Reef Nook on November 19, 2019, underscoring the multi-year local presence.

Read to Reef continues to operate seasonally out of Pratt branches and the National Aquarium, returning for fall 2024 bookmark distribution and cited in multiple reports as reaching a 10-year milestone since its 2016 launch even as outlets list differing cumulative totals for participants, visits, and books read.