Summer Reading at New York Libraries @summerreadingnys - Tumblr Blog

Gearing Up for 2016 Summer Reading at New York Libraries

The New York State Library has been busy getting ready for the 2016 Summer Reading at New York Libraries program. This coming year’s theme is “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read.”

All of the flyers listed below, as well as other materials, can be downloaded and printed from the New York State Library Summer Reading at New York Libraries website: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/facts.htm.

10 Easy Ways to Get Children to Read This Summer – A flyer with a list of ways to get children to read this summer, as well as information about Summer Reading at New York Libraries.

Easy Ways to Grow a Great Reader – This flyer promoting early literacy is available in ten languages, including English, Spanish, and Chinese.

Help your students improve skills through reading during the summer months – A flyer to share with teachers and educators.

Teen NY Facebook Page – A flyer promoting the Teen NY Facebook page, intended for teens and those who work with teens.

Summer Reading at New York Libraries and the Common Core – A flyer detailing how reading over the summer relates to the Common Core Learning Standards.

8.5” x 11” On Your Mark, Get Set…Read! Posters – Regular-paper-sized posters of the 2016 summer reading theme slogan for children and early learners.

Summer Reading at New York Libraries Fact Sheet – This fact sheet is updated every year and includes information about the summer reading theme, participation numbers, yearly partnerships, and some helpful summer reading websites.

The 2016 School Library Partner Manual and the 2016 Early Literacy Partner Manual: A Resource for Childcare Providers are also available at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/facts.htm.

The 2016 School Library Partner Manual contains information for schools and school libraries to partner with a public library or public library system to help all students take advantage of summer reading. It also includes full resource lists for books, recordings, and websites related to the 2016 summer reading theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read.”

The 2016 Early Literacy Partner Manual: A Resource for Childcare Providers contains information for child care providers and schools to partner with a public library or public library system to help children and families gain the early literacy skills needed for children to succeed in school. It also has early literacy resource lists for books, recordings, and websites related to the 2016 summer reading theme, “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read.”

Check back soon for the 2016 updates to the four Explore New York reading lists and bookmarks.

Summer Reading 2016 Teen Video Challenge

New York State, as part of Summer Reading at New York Libraries, is participating in the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) sponsored 2016 Teen Video Challenge. New York State has taken part in the Teen Video Challenge every year since 2011. Teens in New York State are invited to create a 30 to 90 second video with their unique interpretation of the 2016 CSLP teen slogan Get in the Game – Read in combination with reading and libraries. $150 will be awarded to the creators of the winning state video and their associated public library will receive prizes worth at least $50. Teen video submissions are due to local public libraries by March 4, 2016. For full competition details and entry forms visit: http://www.summerreadingnys.org/teens/teens-video-challenge/.

Leadership Change for Summer Reading at New York Libraries

Karen Balsen, who has guided Summer Reading at New York Libraries since 2007, is stepping down as the program’s Coordinator. During her tenure the program has grown from participation levels of 1.3 million to 1.99 million, a partnership was started with the Legislature to promote summer reading, summer reading manuals were developed for school libraries as well as childcare centers, partnerships were expanded to include Hunger Solutions, New York State Reading Association, New York Council for the Humanities, and 4-H, STEM workshops were offered to public libraries statewide, the national Teen Video Challenge was instituted and New York State was the first state to participate, a summer reading on-line registration tool was offered statewide, materials for parents were translated into the 9 most commonly used languages in New York State, and a Teen Facebook page was created, and a Summer Reading at New York Libraries blog and Tumblr were added to the two summer reading pages already maintained to expand the reach of summer reading resources.

Beginning in December 2015, Sharon Phillips will take over as Coordinator of Summer Reading at New York Libraries.

For information on Summer Reading at New York Libraries visit http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/ or contact Sharon Phillips, Program Coordinator, Division of Library Development, New York State Library, at [email protected] or 518-486-4863.

Summer Reading at New York Libraries 2015 Reaches 1.99 Million Children & Teens

November 17, 2015 - New York State Librarian and Assistant Commissioner for Libraries Bernard A. Margolis announced today that 1.99 million children and teens throughout New York State participated in Summer Reading at New York Libraries at their local libraries during the summer of 2015.

Research has shown that children who continue to read during the summer vacation perform better in the fall when school resumes, and that reading for simple summer enjoyment helps children with literacy skills, while helping prevent learning losses. For more information on the positive value of public library summer reading programs see “The Importance of Summer Reading: Public Library Summer Reading Programs and Learning” (http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer/research.htm).

For Summer Reading at New York Libraries 2015, statewide participation levels rose to 1.99 million from 1.9 million in 2014. Four library systems reported increases of 15% and higher. Congratulations to these library systems and to all of the public library systems and public libraries for a wonderful 2015 Summer Reading at New York Libraries.

Public library systems with 15% or higher increases in participation:

* Monroe County Library System

* New York Public Library

* Nioga Public Library System

* Queens Public Library

2016 Teen Summer Learning Grants

The 2016 Teen Summer Learning grants from YALSA are open. There are two types of grants available: Teen Summer Learning Resources Grants and Summer Teen Intern Grants. The deadline to apply for these grants is January 1st. Learn more at: http://summerreading.ning.com/page/summer-learning-grants.

Connecticut Library Launches Video Website

The Darien Library, located in Connecticut, launched http://darienlibrary.tv/ in June. The website is designed to provide easy access to the library’s collection of library-created videos. To learn more, check out this article from Library Journal: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2015/06/digital-content/darien-library-launches-video-site-debuts-web-series/.

Summer Reading Happenings: Week of August 16

Here are some fun summer reading things happening across the state for the upcoming week of August 16, 2015.

On August 16 from 1-3pm, the Ellenville Public Library and Museum will be celebrating local heroes. They will be presenting local heroes with certificates, Karen Gersh will perform some heroic circus tricks, and there will be activities for children. And before the activities begin, there will be a used book sale beginning at noon. Please call (845) 647-5530 or visit www.eplm.org for more information.

This entire week, August 17-20, the Cuba Circulating Library will be hosting World Music with Rachel Bell for children in grades 1-5. For more information, please call the library at 585-968-1668 or visit their website at http://cubalibrary.org/.

The Whitesville Public Library will be having their annual fundraising Ice Cream Social on August 19th. For more information, visit the library’s website at http://whitesvillelibrary.org/.

Getting Children to Read Voraciously

Children who love to read typically have larger vocabularies, are better at problem solving, and have a higher degree of emotional intelligence. Check out this article to learn how to get children to read voraciously: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/7750644?utm_hp_ref=books&ir=Books.

Summer Reading Happenings: Week of August 9

Here are some fun summer reading things happening across the state for the upcoming week of August 9, 2015.

The Dundee Library is celebrating the end of their summer reading program with a Summer Learning Finale on August 12th featuring Dan the Snake Man. To learn more, visit http://dundeelib.org/.

The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library is hosting a comic creator series for teens and tweens this summer. Gregg Schigiel, author and illustrator of Pix: One Weirdest Weekend graphic novel and a regular contributor to Spongebob Comics, will be at the library on August 13 at 6:30pm. For more information, visit the library’s website at http://www.ebcrawfordlibrary.org/.

The Cuba Circulating Library has two exciting events this week. On August 11th, students can make self-portraits out of sticks, stones, and other items they collect outside. On August 13th, Hawk Creek Wildlife will visit the library and bring along some of their amazing creatures. For more information, please call the library at 585-968-1668 or visit their website at http://cubalibrary.org/.

On Saturday, August 15 at 1:00pm the Rensselaer Public Library will be hosting author and artist Danica Novgorodoff. She will be giving a drawing demonstration and signing copies of her books, although the books will not be sold at this event. For more information, visit the library’s website at http://rensselaerlibrary.org/.

Science Behind Superheroes at Onondaga County Public Library

The Museum of Science and Technology has been bringing the science behind superheroes’ powers to all of the branches of the Onondaga County Public Library this summer. The program has already been to 17 of the libraries, with 15 left to go. Read more about the program here: http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/07/superhero_science_show_travels_to_libraries_across_onondaga_county.html.

Summer Reading Happenings: Week of August 2

Here are some fun summer reading things happening across the state for the upcoming week of August 2, 2015.

The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library is hosting a comic creator series for teens and tweens this summer. Brimstone, co-founder of Hound Comics, Inc., will be visiting the library on August 6. For more information, see the library’s website at http://www.ebcrawfordlibrary.org/.

Two of a Kind, an award-winning, nationally touring husband-wife duo specializing in interactive music for children and families, will perform live at Cuba Circulating Library on August 6th. For more information, please call the library at 585-968-1668 or visit their website at http://cubalibrary.org/.

Photo caption: Two of a Kind

On August 4th, the Whitesville Public Library will be hosting Community Heroes. Featured at this event will be the Whitesville Town Police, Firemen, and Ambulance personnel, with their vehicles, and a local author. For more information, visit the library’s website at http://whitesvillelibrary.org/.

Read Where You Are Today

Today, July 29th, is Read Where You Are day. Read Where You Are is a day of action launched by the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to draw attention to the importance of summer reading. For full information, check out this article: http://www.ed.gov/blog/2015/07/join-us-in-a-summer-reading-day-of-action/. Or learn how to get involved http://www2.ed.gov/readwhereyouare/index.html#section4.

Summer Reading Happenings: Week of July 26

Here are some fun summer reading things happening across the state for the upcoming week of July 26, 2015.

The William K. Sanford Town Library will be having Super Hero Science: Megaman and His Super Robotic Powers on July 29th. The Robotics Teams from both Shaker and Colonie High Schools will do an interactive, live demo of the mind-blowing robots they built. For children entering 1st-4th grades. For more information, visit the library website at http://colonielibrary.org/.

The Cuba Circulating Library is holding two creative writing events this week. The first is for teens on July 27th and the second is for adults on July 29th. And on July 30th, David Moreland the Magician will be visiting the library. For more information, please call the library at 585-968-1668 or visit their website at http://cubalibrary.org/.

Enjoy the summer concert and family fun at Seneca St. Park at Night at the Museum on July 30th, sponsored by the Dundee Library and the Dundee Area Historical Society. For more information visit the library’s event on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/364851573712877/, or visit the library’s website http://dundeelib.org/.

The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library is hosting a comic creator series for teens and tweens this summer. On July 30th, Chris Giarrusso, creator of the G-MAN series of graphic novels, will be visiting the library. For more information, visit the library’s website at http://www.ebcrawfordlibrary.org/.

Family Book Discussion at the Voorheesville Public Library

The Voorheesville Public Library had a very successful family book discussion of “El Deafo” by Cece Bell on July 9th.

From the Youth & Family Services desk at the Voorheesville Public Library:

On Thursday, July 9th, the Voorheesville Public Library hosted a family book discussion. We all read the book El Deafo by Cece Bell, since this book won the Newbery honor and focuses on the theme of a superhero. Our evening began with a potluck dinner followed by a discussion and guest speaker. I had been in contact with the author via e-mail and she was kind enough to answer questions sent to me by the participants. I shared her answers with the group and they were delighted! As part of the program, a fellow librarian, who raised two deaf daughters, spoke to the group about what it was like from a parent's point of view to raise children who are deaf (just like Cece Bell in her graphic novel memoir El Deafo about becoming deaf at the age of four). The children and parents learned a great deal.

We ended our wonderful evening by taking a group photo (see attached), which I sent to the author. Ms. Bell loved it!

This was a hugely successful evening of sharing food, reading, discussing and learning. We had 20 families register with almost 50 in attendance. My family of readers has already asked when the next family book discussion will be held. I was happy to tell them that one is planned for November (author visit via Skype) and another in January (author in-person visit). Everyone had a wonderful time. One mother wrote me an e-mail the following morning and said: "That was a great event last night!!! It was insightful and meaningful for the kids and the adults. Thank you so much!" I just love being a youth services librarian!

Summer Reading Happenings: Week of July 19

Here are some fun summer reading things happening across the state for the upcoming week of July 19, 2015.

Learn to be a Nature Detective on July 20th with Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H at the Dundee Library. Or visit with animals on July 22nd, thanks to a visit from Tanglewood. Visit http://dundeelib.org/ for more information.

On July 22nd, the Plattekill Public Library will be hosting Tech Guy Adam Seelig to talk about 3D Printers and on July 23rd the library will be having the Midsummer’s Night Dance. For more information visit the library’s website, http://plattekill.lib.ny.us/, or Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/plattekilllibrary.

College students disguised as superheroes will present a non-violence workshop at the Cuba Circulating Library on July 23. This workshop is best suited for children in grades K-8th. For more information, please call the library at 585-968-1668 or visit their website at http://cubalibrary.org/.

In the Greater Rochester Area, radio station WXXI’s Connections program will be featuring summer reading. Tune in Monday July 20th through Thursday July 23rd at noon. Learn more at WXXInews.org.

We apologize for the delay in posting this to Tumblr. We were experiencing technical difficulties.

Books on Buses in Virginia

Three buses in Roanoke, Virginia, now have books on them to encourage children’s summer learning and reading. Here is a June 22, 2015 article from ilovelibraries.org: http://ilovelibraries.org/article/roanoke-puts-books-buses-encourage-kids-summer-reading. A little closer to home, Rochester, NY had a similar program in 2001-2002. Check out an article about it here: http://www.planetizen.com/node/31776.

WXXI’S Connections Dedicates a Week of Shows to Summer Reading

WXXI’S CONNECTIONS DEDICATES A WEEK OF SHOWS TO SUMMER READING

Connections Summer Book Week airs July 20-24

(Rochester, NY) July 10, 2015 – Connections with Evan Dawson, WXXI’s daily radio talk show, presents a special week dedicated to summer reading beginning July 20th. Guest host Scott Fybush invites authors, publishers, and booksellers in studio for Connections Summer Book Week, which can be heard Monday, July 20 through Friday, July 24 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on WRUR-FM 88.5, AM 1370, WEOS 89.5 (Geneva) and online at WXXI.org/listen. In conjunction with the week-long special, Fybush has put together a list of books for listeners to read and then join the conversations with his guests. The list can be found at: http://bit.ly/1HQCMoP.

Connections Summer Book Week kicks off Monday, July 20 at 12 p.m. with special guests Louise Wareham Leonard, author of 52 Men and Sara Solovitch, author of Playing Scared. They talk about their writing process and their recent releases.

On Tuesday, July 21 at 12 p.m. Fybush is joined by Bruce Austin from RIT Press, Peter Conners from BOA Press, Chad Post from Open Letter Press to talk about publishing and its future. In the second hour listeners will hear from two-time Pulitzer-Prize winning author David McCullough. McCullough will talk about his work including his books Truman and John Adams, and his most recent release, the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wright Brothers. Known as a “master of the art of narrative history” and “a matchless writer,” he is also a teacher, lecturer, and narrator of many documentaries including Ken Burns’ The Civil War.

Wednesday, July 22 at 12 p.m. Connections dedicates the two hours to young adult literature. Guests include: Sarah Hamilton, teen author of The Enchantress; Arlette Miller Smith, Associate Professor at St. John Fisher College, who teaches a young adult literature class; Joellen Maples, Associate Professor, Literacy Developments, at St. John Fisher College; and Anne Rehor, Youth Services Librarian at the Ontario Public Library.

On Thursday, July 23 at 12 p.m. listeners will hear from Dr. Adrielle Mitchell, English Literature Professor at Nazareth College, who specializes in graphic narratives.

More guests to be announced soon, including Friday’s show. Visit WXXInews.org for more information.

### WXXI is the essential, life-long educational media resource for the Greater Rochester area. WXXI puts the community first with programming that stimulates and expands thought, inspires the spirit, opens cultural horizons and promotes understanding of diverse community issues. WXXI also has a long-term affiliation with Little Theatre, which helps enhance the cultural life of the community and strengthens two of Rochester's most vital arts institutions. Log on to wxxi.org for more information about our services and programs.

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