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Summer Reading
2011 Summer Reading at New York Libraries Reaches 1.65 Million Children &
Teens
The Program's 20th Year Reaches Increasing Numbers of Young People with Fun
Activities that Encouraged a Summer of Reading Pleasures
December 12, 2011 - New York State Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Education
and Acting State Librarian Jeffrey W. Cannell announced today that 1.65 million
children and teens throughout New York State participated in "Summer Reading at
New York Libraries" at their local libraries. This represents a statewide
increase of almost 10% over 2010. Kids are reading for fun during the summer
months and that summer reading is associated with academic success.
"During the summer...children and families made reading for fun a top New
York State activity. Taking full advantage of what public libraries in New York
State offer has resulted in record participation in 'Summer Reading at New York
Libraries,'" stated Cannell. "This involvement with reading during the summer
months leads to better academic performance when children return to school in
the fall."
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.
"Statistics point to the disappointing loss of learning that takes place
when young people are not in school during the summer," said Commissioner of the
New York State Education Department John B. King, Jr."The effects of summer
learning loss are especially dramatic for students from high-needs communities.
By providing summer reading programs, the State Library and public libraries
throughout the State can provide young people and their parents with the tools
necessary to ensure year-long learning success and cultivate a love of reading."
For more information on the positive value of public library summer reading
programs see
Thanks go out to all the public library systems and the public libraries
that made "Summer Reading at New York Libraries" such a success in 2011.
New York's public library system youth and teen services consultants offered
training and technical support, and library staff and volunteers in New York's
public and association libraries provided the programming and resources that
made kids want to join the fun.
This year six public library systems reported 15% or higher increases in
participation levels over 2010. Congratulations to these "Stars" and to all the
systems for a wonderful 2011 "Summer Reading at New York Libraries."
PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS WITH 15% OR HIGHER INCREASES IN PARTICIPATION:
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Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
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New York Public Library
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Nioga Library System
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Queens Library
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Southern Adirondack Library System
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Westchester Library System
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