When dads lead with love and show up with intention, the story changes for everyone, and that is exactly what Khari Arnold is doing with The Library Dads initiative.
At a young age, Arnold developed a passion for reading thanks to his mother and grandmother. So when his daughter was just four months old, he started a tradition that allowed him to share this passion with her. Over the next year, he took her to the library every week and began reading to her daily. As time went on, he watched her develop early learning skills, and their bond deepened with every story.
He eventually shared a recap about their library visits on Instagram and thought about how great it would be for other dads to share in similar experiences. What started off as a weekend activity with his daughter turned into a community of dads who are changing what fatherhood looks like, one library visit at a time.
Launched in the summer of 2024, The Library Dads is an Atlanta-based community of fathers who get together on select weekends twice a month. They take their kids to the library for Library Link-ups and read aloud to them. But this is more than just story time - at its core, The Library Dads is built on three pillars: bonding, books and brotherhood. It is a space for dads to show up for their kids and each other, consistently and intentionally. It is about visibility.
“As The Library Dads, we want to empower those types of bonds, expose kids to the power and joy of books and establish a supportive brotherhood of active fathers,” Khari, Dear Fathers.
Although the Library Link-ups are the main event, there are a number of other programs that The Library Dads hosts, such as field trips that range from outdoor activities to museum and aquarium visits and more. Every initiative is geared towards educating their kids and providing quality time for bonding. They also offer parent workshops to help navigate the ins and outs of fatherhood, along with dad-only outings that allow for fathers to connect.
Open to all fathers and father figures with children of all ages, The Library Dads also welcomes children’s book donations. While they’re still based exclusively in Atlanta, Arnold has plans to expand to other cities, turning The Library Dads into a national movement.
If you’re interested in attending one of the Library Link-ups or other activities, follow The Library Dads on Eventbrite.
