Committee Report | March 2011

SUMMARY

Issue for Discussion

How best can the Summer Reading at New York Libraries statewide reach out to and engage at-risk students and high-need districts in summer reading?

Reason(s) for Consideration

Research shows that participation in quality summer reading programs assists students in maintaining and improving their reading skills and developing a life-long love of reading and learning.  In February 2010, the State Library shared with the Committee, a draft research brief, The Importance of Summer Reading (available at: (http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/brief01.pdf).

Proposed Handling

Staff will describe outreach and assistance on this issue. They will also share examples of libraries that are actively engaging at-risk students in summer reading programs, thereby advancing the Department’s reform agenda and closing achievement gaps.

Background Information

Summer Reading at New York Libraries provides exciting summer reading and literacy opportunities for 1.5 million children, teens and family members at New York’s 1,100 public libraries and branches across the state.

The Department provides leadership for and partners with the 23 public library systems, with P-12 and with other entities to offer high-quality, low-cost educational materials; websites (http://www.summerreadingnys.org/); an online registration tool called Summer Reader; small grants to library systems for local programming and more.  Local libraries, in partnership with public library systems, schools and community organizations, effectively tailor the statewide program to meet local needs. 

Recommendation

Staff seeks Regents advice and support on efforts to expand collaboration among libraries and schools so that all students, especially those from high-needs districts, benefit from public library summer reading programs.