When Khari Arnold started reading to his daughter during his wife’s pregnancy, he never imagined it would spark a movement.
Inspired by Jim Trelease’s The Read-Aloud Handbook, Arnold found joy in their weekly library visits. But an Instagram reel meant to celebrate these moments soon evolved into something greater. Today, The Library Dads is a thriving community of fathers in Atlanta who prioritize three pillars: bonding, books, and brotherhood.
“We’re a community of dads in Atlanta who get together on the weekends and take our kids to the library. We call them Library Link-ups,” Arnold told Dear Fathers in a recent interview.
“Reading aloud to our kids is at the center of what we do because a vast amount of research proves its benefits. The most underrated benefit is the bonding experience.”
For Arnold, the idea of reading to children goes beyond academics—it’s about building memories. “We recently had a guest attend our Link-up and she shared that one of her favorite memories growing up was going to Cascade Library with her dad every weekend,” Arnold shared. “She’s now a 30-year-old traffic engineer and says reading indeed helped her thrive academically, but the bonding she encountered with her dad was the benefit she cherished the most.”
These types of stories resonate with The Library Dads community. Fathers gather not only to read but to create a legacy of presence and engagement. “Dads are busy, but we remember to prioritize bonding time,” Arnold said.
The organization is breaking stereotypes by showcasing men as active participants in their children’s education. “It’s great for kids to see a community of men reading,” Arnold explained.
“Generally, women tend to read more than men. The majority of daycare providers and school teachers are women. So, at what point do kids see men active in this area? It’s very important our young boys see this image and not tether reading to a specific gender.”
The Library Dads also focuses on creating a judgment-free environment for children who may feel nervous about reading aloud. “Many children lose the desire to read because they’re forced to read in front of others when they aren’t comfortable,” Arnold reflected. “We don’t believe in forcing the issue by making kids read in front of a group…I would say constantly affirm them.”
Beyond the books and bonding, Arnold emphasizes the importance of camaraderie among dads. “When I became a dad, my conversations, desires and priorities shifted. I wanted to be around others who could relate to what I’m dealing with,” Arnold said. This brotherhood has extended beyond library meetups to include events like dads’ nights out, creating a supportive space for fathers to share their journeys.
The community is expanding, with plans to establish chapters in multiple cities and add events tailored for teenagers. Their immediate focus, however, is the 50-Day Read-Aloud Challenge, which started on November 12 and will run until December 31. “We’ll be challenging all dads, even those who aren’t local, to read to their children each day,” Arnold announced.
For Arnold, The Library Dads is about creating a lasting legacy. “Legacy is simply how you live your life. Whether you’re intentional about creating a legacy or not, you’re creating one every day. Why not create one that pours into others so the fabric of their legacy will have remnants of yours?”
Dads looking to connect can find more information on the group’s Instagram page.
