OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University’s (UVU) School of Education’s annual For the Love of Reading Conference brought together educators, parents, librarians, and community leaders to address an exponential increase in aliteracy and share strategies for building lifelong readers.
UVU’s annual forum on engaged reading gives professionals and parents alike the opportunity to learn from local, state, and national experts who are award-winning authors and illustrators and leaders in literacy education and reading motivation. These experts helped to inspire individuals to foster a greater love for reading and learning.
The urgency of the conference’s mission is reflected in recent national data. The Nation’s Report Card reports that just 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2025, down from 27% in 2012. The National Literacy Institute reports that 54% of U.S. adults read below a sixth-grade level, and 64% of the country’s fourth graders do not read proficiently.
“The For the Love of Reading Conference is a vital gathering that connects educators, parents, and community leaders around one of the most pressing challenges in literacy today,” said Doug Gardner, professor and department chair of Student, Leadership, Success Studies (SLSS). “By bringing together award-winning authors, illustrators, and literacy experts, UVU is helping to fill a critical gap and inspiring individuals at every level to cultivate a genuine love of reading in the lives of those they serve.”
Unlike curricular standards or standardized tests, fostering a love for reading is not a state or federal requirement, leaving a gap that UVU’s conference is designed to fill. Speakers and sessions focused on engaging readers before disengagement takes hold, helping attendees develop approaches that go beyond classroom instruction.
The event was sponsored by Marilyn and Lew Kofford, the Dennis and Joan Norton Family Foundation, the Gene and Lori Nelson family, the Bill J. and Norma T. Anderson Foundation, and Jewell Parker Rhodes.
To learn more, please visit https://www.uvu.edu/school-of-
About Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University believes in the power and potential of every student. Our work is guided by a commitment to exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results. We provide a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible. From certificates to master’s degrees, UVU offers flexible, relevant programs grounded in hands-on learning and real-world experiences, ensuring that students graduate with career-ready skills and are ready to receive a strong return on investment. As an open-enrollment university, we invite students to come as they are, and they leave prepared to make an immediate impact in their careers and communities.
