From Santa Clara County Library Services
Santa Clara County Library District kicked off its 2013 Summer Reading Program Saturday, June 1.
The annual program, which continues through Saturday, Aug. 31, encourages everyone to read during the summer.
“The summer months provide a much needed break for children, but, from personal experience, I know that parents look for ways to make the time stimulating and productive,” said Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, delegate for the County Library District Joint Powers Authority. “I hope adults and children take full advantage of the benefits of joining our library summer reading programs.”
Research shows that students can lose up to three months of reading skills during summer break. Research demonstrates the best ways to prevent loss of reading skills during summer break are to keep lots of books around the house, and to make regular trips to the library. By participating in enriching summer activities, students can actually get an early start for the new school year. Library summer reading programs may help children and teens retain and enhance their reading skills during the summer and provide an opportunity to help adults model and promote early reading habits for youth.
“Participating in the Summer Reading Program is a great and inexpensive way for kids to have fun and continue learning even during the summer break,” said Supervisor Joe Simitian, Delegate for the County Library District Joint Powers Authority. “Our libraries are there as a resource to support and complement learning throughout the year.”
Santa Clara County Library is offering two different summer reading programs. Children up to age 12 can read, earn a prize, attend performances, and participate in craft projects at the library, where they can read books and be rewarded for their progress. While they "Dig Into Reading,” the children’s summer reading theme, they’ll explore the wonders under their feet—buried treasure, evidence of ancient civilizations, insects, rocks, gardening, and more. Teens, ages 13 and up, and adults can delve "Beneath the Surface" to examine the under layers of the physical world, ancient civilizations, as well as the human psyche. They will be able to attend a program or write reviews to share.
“Quite often reading for pleasure takes a back seat because of demanding academic workloads and ever-increasing media options,” said County Librarian Nancy Howe. “Summer reading programs are a way to take your family back in time, to browse the bounty on the library shelves, borrow a variety of books that speak to you, to explore other perspectives, and to simply have fun. Friendly, knowledgeable librarians are eager to recommend books to readers of all ages.”
Everyone is invited to join the fun by registering for Summer Reading online at www.sccl.org or in person at any one of the district libraries. By signing up for the Summer Reading Program and reading or listening to 5 books, teens and adults can enter a drawing to win a Nexus Google Tablet or an iPad mini.
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