Summer reading program makes a big splash statewide

While students across the state look forward to summer vacation, the New York State Library's 11th annual statewide library summer reading program will keep them learning as well. Splish Splash Read! will provide entertaining activities to help foster literacy and develop the reading skills of New York's kids and teens in public libraries throughout New York state.

Citing the impact of public library summer reading programs on student achievement, State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Janet M. Welch announced that the program's goal is to have at least one million children throughout the state registered for the reading program through their local public libraries.

Welch commented, "This program is fun, but it is also a very serious educational tool. It demonstrates the critical role libraries play in education. There is clear evidence that youngsters who participate in library summer reading programs improve their reading skills and perform at higher academic levels when school resumes. Those children who have fun at their public libraries with Splish Splash Read! this summer, will be ready to learn and achieve more when they return to school in the fall."

Participating libraries will help kids learn while having fun with reading-related recreational activities as well as opportunities to use computers, search the Internet, and socialize with peers. Programs include contests that challenge teens to become experts on selected books, Reading Buddies or Reading Partners for very young or reluctant readers, poetry writing contests, story hours, and theatrical productions.

Free programming kits have been distributed to all 1,200 public libraries, branch libraries, and reading center locations in the state. The kits were developed by New York State Library in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library and a statewide committee of youth service librarians. The kits include support materials and engaging educational activities that enable participating libraries in every community, large and small, to provide a professional quality reading program.

Related links and a first-time link for parents are available in the kit and can be accessed online via the New York State Library web site at http:.//www.nysl.nysed.gov. Click on Splish Splash Read!

The summer reading program represents a partnership between local public libraries and the New York State Library. Local librarians contribute the ideas for the summer reading program manual, and selection of reading materials and creative adaptation of the program helps to meet local needs and interests. Each participating library contributes local funds and involves library staff, local businesses, and other organizations to implement the program.

The program's corporate sponsor is the JanWay Company, producers of promotional products and fundraising items for libraries. The company printed and distributed the manual to libraries and produced t-shirts and other theme-related products that are available for libraries to purchase.