By Carolyn Forde
Youth Services Librarian, T.B. Scott Free Library
As the school year winds down, thoughts turn to summer sports and the great outdoors, family reunions, and vacation time. But did you know that your child wants to be a reader this summer? And they would like it if you read with them, too!
Every year about this time, I am asked to promote the Summer Library Reading Program to area youth. And what I find is that selling reading to children in the summer isn’t a hard sell at all. In fact, during a recent class visit to the library, I broached the subject of reading during the summer with some first and second graders. I asked the kids if they were planning to read while they were on break and the answer was a unanimous, “Yes!”
When you ask youth what they like about reading they have great things to say. Some children like that they can pretend to have an adventure by reading a book. Some say they read for the fun of it. And some children enjoy the peace and calm that they feel while reading. Finally, some respond that they enjoy learning new things.
Okay, I’m the librarian right? So it’s time for me to drive home the point about reading and learning all summer long. In the research conducted by Joe Matthew and published in Public Libraries 49 in an article entitled, “Evaluating Summer Reading Programs: Suggested Improvements” Mr. Matthew states that, “One consistent finding of a number of research studies is that ‘summer reading setback’— presumably the result of a lack of adequate reading practice — is a very real phenomenon. It impacts children living in poverty the most, and its effects are cumulative.” He also notes that, “Summer programs that require some form of parental involvement produce larger, positive effects than programs without this component.”
I could cite many other studies for you about the importance of children reading, especially reading during the summer months. And I could also cite more studies about the importance of parents/grandparents reading with their children. But let me just remind you of what children say themselves: children like to read and want to read this summer. So join us at the T. B. Scott Library starting June 8 and sign your child up for our self-directed reading program. It’s free, fun, and children have an opportunity to earn prizes for their reading. And while you are at it, please sign yourself up for the adult reading program …the kids will tell you you’ll be glad you did!