Summer Reading Program Kicks Off June 7!

Director’s
chair
2 Summer
Prevent Summer Learning Loss–Sign Up for Our Summer Reading Program
The Summer Reading Program at Chelsea District Library is an annual program that brings children
and families into the library for reading and events. Over 1300 of the 2700 students in the Chelsea
School District participated in the program in 2012! The numbers are equally impressive on a national
level; in fact, more kids take part in public library summer reading programs than play Little League
baseball. This is good news for public libraries as we work toward improving children’s reading skills as
well as increasing their desire to read.
The bad news is that statistics also point to the frustrating loss of learning that takes place when
children are not in school during the summer. This is what researchers have often referred to as the
“summer slide.” Here are some critical facts to consider:
Prevent “summer slide” ! Sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Program–Dig into Reading! The library is helping close the reading
gap by providing children and teens access to high–quality reading materials, as well as opportunities to improve literacy skills. The
library’s Summer Reading Program is essential to the reading achievement of many children, particularly those children who lack
other reading resources.
William Harmer
bharmer@chelseadistrictlibrary.org
General Donations
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs | Friends of Chelsea District Library
Sally & Fred Dickinson | Joel & Cindy Blume
In Memory of Yvonne Kukla
Gary Zenz
Annual Giving
Robert & Marjorie German | Anonymous | Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Original Comic Book Art
River Gallery
» Learning or reading skill losses during the summer months are cumulative. By the time a struggling
reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss has accumulated to a two–year lag in reading
achievement.
» It is estimated that the “summer slide” accounts for as much as 85% of the reading achievement gap between lower income students
and their middle–and upper–income peers.
» Third graders who can’t read on grade level are four times less likely to graduate by age 18 than a proficient reader.
» Studies show that making sure there are always interesting books at home can increase the likelihood of a child being a frequent
reader.
Donations
Thank You!
Midwest Literary Walk
Chelsea Downtown Development Authority | Nicola’s Books
Summer Reading Program
Rick Taylor, Charles Reinhart Company | Chelsea Masons Olive Lodge #156
Lions Club | Performance Personnel