Summer reading programs take place at 95% of public libraries in the United States.[1] Children, teens, and adults participate in activities meant to encourage reading, such as keeping a reading log. Other names for summer reading programs include vacation reading club, summer reading club, vacation reading program, and summer library program.[2]
History
Summer reading programs at public libraries in the United States began no later than the 1890s.[3] Early programs featured how to care for books, reading logs or lists, and focused on older kids and teens.[3] By 1929, summer reading programs were sometimes themed.[3] In the 1940s, professional publications began including prevention of summer reading loss as a goal of summer reading programs.[3] As of 2014, 95% of public libraries in the United States offer a summer reading program.[1] Summer reading programs are common in Canada as well.[4]
Features
Two thirds of public libraries host a summer reading program with a theme.[5] Most summer reading programs offer books, coupons, or bookmarks as incentives for participating.[5][6][7] Participants receive those incentives when they achieve a goal.[6] Libraries commonly keep track of the number of participants, time spent reading, or number of books read.[5]
^Fiore, Carole D. (2007). "Summer library reading programs". New Directions for Youth Development. 2007 (114): 85–98. doi:10.1002/yd.215. PMID17623415.
^ abcdBertin, S. (2004). A history of youth summer reading programs in public libraries: A master’s paper for the M.S. in L.S. degree. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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