Summer Reading Programs Show Increases at Region's Libraries

 

GRRL offered programs for three age groups at all of its 32 libraries. A total of 11,497 children participated, and each program saw increases.

 

Ages 0-3 increased 9.2 percent from 695 to 759.

Ages 3-12 increased 14.6 percent from 7,999 to 9,170.

Teens in grades 6-12 increased 28.8 percent from 1,218 to 1,569.

 

The goal for each program was to keep children engaged with reading during the summer, because studies show children who do so maintain or improve their reading skills. Children who do not read during the summer are more likely to lose ground in reading.*  

 

The largest percentage increase in the children’s programs was at the Big Lake Public Library, which saw a 62.2 percent increase to 360 from 222. This was the first summer for Big Lake in its new location, which is more than twice the size of its previous building. The largest increase in actual numbers was at St. Cloud, where 388 additional participants increased the total to 1,536. St. Cloud was also enjoying its first summer in a new building.

 

Teenagers who took part in the teen summer reading program recorded 33,929 hours of reading, or 21.6 hours each. Different studies provide conflicting data on teen reading habits. Some studies report teens are reading less than they used to. Others report they are reading more, but they are reading differently, especially online. The library's program encouraged reading in any format.

 

“There is broad agreement that reading skills have a strong impact on life success,” according to Karla Kraft, the library’s programming coordinator. “Prison populations are filled with poor readers, and there is strong evidence that good readers are more successful in their adult lives.”

 

 

*For more information see an evaluation report titled “The Role of Public Libraries in Children’s Literacy Development” by Dr. Donna Celano and Dr. Susan B. Neuman.