Transforming Summer Programs at Your Library by
"Traditional summer reading programs need to be reimagined. Working groups of librarians, in partnership with the California Library Association and the California State Library, have done just that, creating and implementing outcomes- and outreach-based summer reading programs that speak directly to diverse and changing communities" --
No More Reading for Junk by
Pizza. Pez dispensers. Nerf balls. When we give students "junk" to reward reading, we are focusing their intention away from the act of reading and from their own independence as readers. Instead, we can create classrooms where reading is seen as its own reward. In this book, esteemed researcher Linda Gambrell provides a research-based context for cultivating children's intrinsic motivation to read and identifies three essential principles, the "ARC" of motivation: access: giving kids a wealth of reading materials and opportunities to discuss texts relevance: offering high interest, moderately challenging and authentic reading experiences choice: allowing students to self-select texts and reading activities What exactly do those principles look like in action? Reading specialist and researcher Barbara Marinak shares the strategies and techniques that make a difference for student readers' motivation, turning disengaged readers into passionate ones. "Pizza and Pez dispensers are short lived," Linda and Barbara write, "but confident and empowered readers are likely to remain motivated for life."
Successful Summer Reading Programs for All Ages by
The summer reading program is the focal point of a children's librarian's year, requiring countless hours of preparation and nearly year-round promotion. Summer reading programs for teens and adults are also offered in many communities, adding to that workload and bringing together librarians from different departments to accomplish the required tasks. In a single volume, Successful Summer Reading Programs for All Ages: A Practical Guide for Librarians provides the tools necessary to put together successful summer reading programs for each of these different age groups. Key elements include: - Sample program ideas for early childhood, school-age, teen, and adult readers to suit any summer reading theme -Best practices for promoting summer reading to the community -Troubleshooting for common difficulties associated with summer reading programs -Tips and tricks for using software programs to manage registration and track readers' progress Public librarians serving children, teens, and/or adults will find everything they need to put together a successful summer reading program in this comprehensive handbook.
In the summer of 2020, the Field Guide project team worked with 137 library staff in the United States to learn how they are supporting their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, when library buildings were fully or partially closed. COVID-19 was the impetus for this work, however, as the process launched, the country saw increased civic unrest resulting from the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Dion Johnson. As a result of the multiple crises facing the nation, this work took on an expanded role with a focus on the multiple crises facing the country.The project team created a Field Guide that maps the essential tasks that public library staff must enact before and during crises. While this Field Guide focuses on supporting non-dominant youth and families, the Field Guide can be adapted to serve the needs of other age groups at any time.
There are a variety of evaluation tools and methods for collecting outcome based data. Outcomes are the knowledge transferred or behaviors changed as evidenced by the target audience’s changed or improved skills, attitudes, knowledge, behaviors, status, or life conditions brought about by experiencing a program. In developing a plan for collecting outcomes you may consider:
