The United Way of Richland County is launching an effort to improve child literacy, called "The Big Red Bookshelf".

It was kicked-off Monday with a pizza lunch for 38 kindergarten through third-grade students at the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center in Mansfield.

A grant from Serve-Ohio paid for 250 copies of the first book given to the children.

United Way Director Bob Maxey says red barrels will be placed throughout the county for people to donate books. 

The Big Red Bookshelves were designed by Mansfield Senior High students and were built by students at Madison High School.

They'll be placed in the Youth and Family Council office at Ocie Hill, the Women, Infants, and Children office at the Health Department, and at the Mansfield Y. 

United Way board member Liz Prather says the literacy program will also involve parents, by helping them identify the reading needs of their children.

The Big Red Bookshelf kick-off included proclamations being read by Richland County Commissioner Ed Olson and Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, and the T-Y Tyger basketball team reading "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" to the children.