Welcome to Summer Reading Fun at your public library!

Visiting the library for recreational reading can keep children from losing ground over the summer. Most students score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they did on the same test at the beginning of summer, but those involved in summer reading can keep up their skills over the summer. Summer reading programs focus on reading as an enjoyable leisure time activity. When reading is fun, children want to do more reading, and the more they read, the better they get.

Summer Reading Research

Studies have been done which show that public library summer reading programs enhance student achievement. Below are a few web sites which highlight research on summer reading and its effects on student achievement.

John Hopkins study
Summer vacations cause disadvantaged children to fall behind.

New York State Library Summer Reading Program
This is a compendium of research and resources, including the 2010 research brief "The Importance of Summer Reading: Public Library Summer Reading Programs and Learning," and an extensive annotated bibliography of the current research done by experts in the filed (Permission granted to use this resource by the New York State Library). The New York State Library has created fact sheets which will assist librarians, parents, and educators in the promotion of reading throughout the summer. These fact sheets are available in a number of languages. Thanks to Karen Balsen, New York State Library, for these resources.

No Child Left Behind Summer Reading Achievers
U.S. Department of Education sponsored this program designed to encourage students in grades K-8 to read during the summer months and to help prevent fall-off in reading skills during vacation months.

Preventing Summer Reading Loss
Article from Reading Rockets on preventing summer reading loss.

Prevent SUMMER SET BACK