I was trying to hold off and submit this information to offer the news about last year's participation figure as we drew closer to Summer but I guess now is as good a time as any. Just for your information, you guys rocked! I don't know if it was the gnome, a train, movie ads or just great activities planned for last year's SRP but the numbers demonstrated a large increase in participation. Congratulations! You kept kids reading in 2005 and then some! Here's the story from Susan Babb, the YS Consultant from Northeast Region:
RECORD BREAKING 2005 MASSACHUSETTS SUMMER LIBRARY ADVENTUREBy Susan Babb, Youth Services Consultant, Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System
Part of our reading club involves the participants having to give a weekly report on the books they read. One kid was so worried that he'd miss a week that he phoned in his report from his vacation on the Cape. He said that he'd read for 18 hours. I asked, "Did you even have a chance to go swimming?" He said that he managed to take a small dip in between books. Now that's dedication!
While we have many avid readers participate in our program, it is the parents of the kids who read only a bit that seemed pleased. As one parent said, "He read only a couple of books a week but it was more than he would have read. AND it kept us coming to the library every week."
I have been told by teachers from our local elementary school that they can tell in September who has continued to read over the summer.
These are but a few of the stories and quotes gathered from the 2005 Summer Reading Program Going places @ your library®.
Statewide statistics for this year's summer library adventure are the highest in our thirteen year program history with 141,922 children, teens, and adults participating. Participating libraries noted that participation figures either increased (42%) or at least stayed the same (39%).
Highlights include:
• 31 statewide sponsors provided reading incentive coupons
• The Gnomes Across Massachusetts project which fostered collaboration between libraries, youth learning about Massachusetts towns and cities through gnomes travel journals.
• MBLC Movie ads:
"I was able to view the superb ads off the BLC site. The ones with photos...the girls sneakers on the pile of books and the boy holding a pile of books...how hip!! How simple!!! I'd love to see a photographer/graphic artist selected for future summer ad campaigns. We printed these off and displayed them in our library...patrons love them too!"
• Theme:
"Travel theme was a good one; kids were given address labels when they signed up and sent postcards to the library, which we hung up. Got some from as far away as Scotland and Germany, and from as close as Middleton!"
"We have many families who depend on us to have programs and activities year round, but particularly this time of year. Thanks for giving us a theme to revolve around; I value the continuity, connection and group spirit."
"Out of 145 SRP surveys that we collected, 135 commented that reading over the summer was a great activity. 24 added comments about how much they enjoy summer reading because they like to read different books to learn about new things, new people, and for fun."
"The 2005 summer reading program was immensely successful for all participants: the children were enthusiastic, filling in colorful train cars with titles of books and their names, which grace the walls of the Children's Room; the parents have commented upon the involvement of the children and their enjoyment of the cultural venues visited with the discount coupons; the librarians have had fun interacting with the children as they share their logs, books read, and places visited. "
