Feature Story Get Ready for Summer Reading! by Melissa Fales 8 Story Monsters Ink | June 2016 | StoryMonstersInk.com
Feature Story As schools are closing for the summer, public libraries are gearing up for their summer reading programs. These programs are designed to encourage children to make the most of their newfound free time during summer break by reading. Many public libraries have extensive schedules of hands-on activities, special guests, games, and prizes to motivate children to continue to read during the summer months. “Your public library is the place to go this summer,” says Sherry Siclair, executive director of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). The CSLP is a group of librarians from all over the country who work together to create a comprehensive set of materials for public libraries to use for summer reading programming. Since the American Library Association doesn’t establish an official summer reading theme, many public libraries choose to adopt the annual theme suggested by the CSLP. This year’s CSLP theme for children’s summer reading is “On Your Mark, Get Set ... Read!” According to Siclair, one reason the CSLP chooses a summer reading theme each year is to unify the programs thousands of local libraries are hosting nationwide and help further promote the value of summer reading. “We always hope that children see the theme and artwork in different libraries if they travel over the summer, so they get the feeling of the importance of summer reading,” says Siclair. “If they see the same artwork when they visit grandma in another state, we hope they get the message that it is a national program and very important.” To that end, the CSLP also selects a National Summer Reading Champion each year. This year’s champion is Kate DiCamillo (profiled in the May issue of Story Monsters Ink), the bestselling author of Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and her latest Raymie Nightingale. Each year, the CSLP develops a theme, generates artwork, and produces manuals to support librarians with their summer reading programs. “For more than two decades, these dedicated, highly-experienced librarians have volunteered their time to create the summer reading program because librarians have always known the value of summer reading,” says Siclair. According to Siclair, by continuing to read over the summer, students are able to maintain those reading skills they’ve worked so hard to hone throughout the school year. “It’s been well documented that kids experience learning losses over the summer,” she says. “Summer reading helps them return at grade level or reduce those losses.” Underprivileged youths are particularly at risk of losing their reading ability during the summer months. “Summer learning losses are especially true for lower-income students, who, over the school year progress as well as their more advantaged peers,” Siclair says. “However, over the summer, lower income children’s skills do not progress as do their more advantaged peers. We know this from research shared by one of our allies, the National Summer Learning Association.” Siclair urges parents to add reading to the list of their family’s planned summer activities. “It’s important for parents to continue to support their children’s educational growth over the summer,” she says. “One of the best places to do that is at your public library. Programs are free and easily accessible.” StoryMonstersInk.com | June 2016 | Story Monsters Ink 9
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