The 2024 Summer Reading Program is here!
In partnership with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) and iREAD Summer Reading, this year’s summer reading program will include a kickoff event, story time and music, author talk, a recommended list of books, activities, and prizes!
This summer’s theme “Read, Renew, Repeat” focuses on conservation and will explore how we can be proactive in protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biological diversity.
Summer Reading Events
All events will be held online via Zoom, and you will receive details on how to join in on the fun after you register. You must register for each event you want to attend by clicking on the sign-up links below. Age suggestions are listed for each program, but every program is open to all!
Kickoff event (all ages): Monday, June 24, 1:00 p.m. pacific time
NLS Director Jason Broughton will kick off this year’s summer reading program with a warm welcome and Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden will delight our young readers with a picture book reading of
The Adventures of Marshmallow and Peter by Peter Heath. Sign up now:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_czrEzNhES5ewZbdGeEg9lAStory time and music by Turtle Dance Music (K-3rd grade): Thursday, July 18, 1:00 pm pacific time
Author talk: Angeline Boulley with Andrea L. Rogers, (YA and Adult): Thursday, July 25, 4:00 p.m. pacific time
Online activities will also be available for participants including Choose Your Reading Adventure, the Whispering Library Escape Room, and more. So, stay tuned!
Here are the Rules:
1. The Summer Reading Program (SRP) will run from June 24 to August 23, 2024 and is for youth age 5-18 registered with Talking Books. If you do not have a Talking Books account. APPLY HERE
2. Registration for the Talking Books Summer Reading Program is FREE and open from May 1 until June 30, 2024. REGISTER HERE.
3. Participants will receive a packet with some fun sign-up prizes, including a sea turtle hatchling plushie and information about sea turtle rescue, a recommended reading list, optional activities, and a reading log so you can keep track of the books you read.
4. We challenge participants to read at least six books over the summer to help prevent the “summer slide” when kids can lose up to two months of learning.
5. We will have weekly raffle prize drawings for gift cards! Read a book, complete an activity or attend a summer reading event and fill out a Summer Reading Challenge Raffle Ticket each week to be entered.
6. This year’s prizes:
Grand Prize (winner chooses)
Option 1: Apple iPad (Wi-Fi, 64GB, 10th Generation)
Option 2: Oregon Zoo family membership. If the winner chooses this option, they will receive:
One year family membership, including 2 adults, 2 kids, and 2 guests
$50 Oregon Zoo gift card to purchase food or a souvenir
Runner Up Prize
7. Submit your completed reading log by August 23 with the total books read to be entered in the Grand Prize and Runner-up Prize drawings. There are three options for submitting your reading log:
Submit online HERE
Email - send a photo of your completed reading log or email a list of the books read to jennifer.graves@slo.oregon.gov.
Mail it in - If you are mailing in your reading log, remember to write your name on it and make sure it is postmarked by August 23.
8. Prize winners will be contacted by email/phone. The Grand Prize winner and Runner-up Prize winner will be announced in the fall issue of the Student Newsletter.
Why Participate in Summer Reading?
Reading keeps your mind active. Students who do not engage in educational activities over the summer can lose retention of up to two months or roughly 22% of what they learned during their school year. This is called the “Summer Slide”.
Children who participate in Summer Reading Programs and read a minimum of six books over the summer score higher in reading AND math when they return to school.
Numerous studies show that access to books and magazines and the amount of time children spend reading outside of school is directly related to higher reading achievement. Children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are also more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.
Source: Reading Is Fundamental (www.rif.org); article “Keeping Kids off the Summer Slide.”
Source: Dominican University IMLS-funded research: Public Library Summer Reading Programs Close the Reading Gap (http://bit.ly/dom.edu)