Summer Reading Ideas from PUBYAC

Here is a great compilation of ideas for Summer Reading/Library Programs from the PUBYAC listserv.  More of my own thoughts to come ...

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:39:25 -0500
Subject: [PY] Summer Reading Program Ideas-Compilation
To: pubyac@lists.lis.illinois.edu

My original post asked what new ideas libraries had for Summer Reading
Programs. I did receive more requests for a post than actual ideas,
but hanks to all that responded. Guess it?s time to put our thinking
caps on! Some themes/trends I noticed:

1. Instead of just Children?s and Teen programs, some libraries
are breaking it down into separate programs for babies, kids, tweens,
and teens.

2. Instead of just asking participants to read books, libraries
ask participants to complete tasks, like write a book review, or
attend a library event.

3. More programs have an online element. Some are offering
online registration/recording, while other libraries are taking it a
bit further with online activities.

Pierce County Library has an interesting SRP program for teens
including online challenges that earn ?badges?. Check out their teen
program here: http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/kids-teens/summer-reading-2012/Default.htm

Iowa City Public Library has an example of a ?task sheet? here:http://www.icpl.org/srp/kids/grades_3-6_tasksheet_2012.pdf

This wasn?t a SRP, but I liked the way the library in St. Louis
partnered with other organizations to get kids reading and exercising.
Check it out: http://www.gostlouis.org/marathon-weekend/read-right-and-run-marathon.html

Below are some responses I received from PUBYAC members.

Here?s how SRP works at my library:

1. Children birth to 18 come in and register between June 1 and August 31.

2. The next time they visit they check in and receive a free new
book and a packet of coupons.

3. They can check in once in June, once in July, and once in
August for a total of three free books and coupons.

This program meets our two goals of (1) getting people into the
library and (2) keeping kids reading all summer long. Last summer we
had 1128 kids register and gave away 2010 books. Our city has a
population of 18,000. People come to our library from other
communities because the kids are so excited to get free books. I have
countless parents tell me every year how happy they are that we give
away books instead of those gewgaws. The program works very well for
us and I?d strongly encourage other libraries to give it a try. Good
luck!

Additional Resources:

Dr. Linda B. Gambrell, "Seven Rules of Engagement: What's Most
Important to Know about Motivation to Read" (Reading Teacher v.65#3
Nov 2011 p.172-178http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/TRTR.01024/full
Motivation and Rewards by Marinak and Gambrellhttp://www.personal.psu.edu/bam234/Intrinsic%20Motivation%20and%20Rewards%20LRI.pdf

We did the food theme this summer and we gave them "menus." For each
menu k-4th grade had to read 30 minutes a day and choose from a
pre-selected list of activities; tweens had to read at least 50 pages
for the week. When they finished, they handed in their menu to
receive a prize. They were issued a new menu for every week of the
SRP.
Next summer is a travel theme and I don't know what kind of log they
will get, but we will stick to the weekly thing because it was very
popular.

This article was just published on a statewide list about summer
reading in Indianapolis. They have used a very different model for
more than 20 years, giving each book read a point value and allowing
kids to spend their "points" on a selection of prizes. The past
couple of years they have partnered with community organizations for a
philanthropic twist.http://www.imcpl.org/about/news/2012/library-summer-reading-participation-achieves-8-year-high/

The Adult Summer Reading program at Downey City ILbrary does Book
Bingo. Adult patrons can fill out as many bingo cards during the
program as they want, and each one is put into a raffle. Themed gift
bags (fun in the sun, BBQ, etc.) are raffled off at the end. Each
time a patron turns in a completed book bingo card they get a
bookmark.

One great simplification we added two years ago was reading logs
counting days: kids check off each day they read, not book titles, not
time, not book types or a reading contract.

At one library I worked at previously and at my current job, we
did/do the reading log for the kids, but then we had scratch-off
tickets for the teens. At my previous library, for each book they
read, they received a scratch-off. Sometimes they won a prize (ice
cream coupons, mini-golf coupons, etc.) and sometimes they didn't.
Either way, they would fill out the back for a chance to win the grand
prize. They LOVED it!
At my current library, we have a reading calendar for teens. They keep
track of their minutes and for every 5 hours they read they get a
ticket. I like this because it doesn't matter WHAT they read, just how
much. They can either win a prize, a book, another ticket, or a grand
prize entry.
You can either order the scratch-offs from an outside company like my
previous workplace did, or you can make your own, like we do now. We
print them on cardstock and attach the stickers to scratch off. You
can purchase these in big rolls.

Our summer reading format is to set your own goal. They do write the
books down in their log and bring it back for the prize at the end,
but it is not minutes or an arbitrary number of books read. It really
works well... the reluctant readers seem more eager to participate and
the avid readers set higher goals than I would set! We encourage kids
to talk it over with their parents or teacher. We also let kids
reevaluate if they set their goal too high...every year there is
someone who sets a goal of 200 or more and realizes half way thru the
summer that that is a lot of books!

Thanks again to all that responded!