Community Involvement in Summer Reading Programs: A Fresh Perspective

ABSTRACT

Summer reading programs (SRP) have long been a staple in almost every public library. One of the primary reasons for SRPs is that they contribute to overcoming or mitigating summer reading loss or setback. Yet, the original research that led to the pronouncement of summer reading setback has been called into question. This suggests that the resources public libraries devote to SRPs might be better spent on working with other community organizations on assisting every child to become ready for kindergarten. Public libraries are encouraged to engage with other community organizations in order that summer reading programs will have a broader and greater impact.

KEYWORDS:

• Summer reading programs
• summer reading setback
• summer reading loss
• kindergarten readiness
• reading skills

Notes

1. Data courtesy of the Public Library Association’s Project Outcome.

2. See also, Von Hippel and Hamrock (2019). Is Summer Learning Loss Real? Education Next, Fall, 19 (4). Available at https://www.educationnext.org/is-summer-learning-loss-real-how-i-lost-faith-education-research-results/

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joseph R. Matthews

Joseph R. Matthews has provided consulting assistance to numerous academic, public and special libraries and local governments. He is the author of more than 30 books including Adding Value to Libraries, Museums and Archives, Reflecting on the Future, Managing with Data and Metrics, Getting Started with Evaluation, and Listening to the Customer. Joe is editor-in-chief of Public Library Quarterly.