NY's 2008 Statewide Summer Reading Program Tops 1.5 M Children & Teens!

Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education and Interim State Librarian Jeffrey W. Cannell congratulates public libraries statewide for the record-breaking participation in the 2008 New York Statewide Summer Reading Program. Over 1.5 million children and teens enjoyed a summer of reading fun by participating in the Statewide Summer Reading Program through local libraries.

The 1.5 million participation level exceeds Education Commissioner Richard Mills' goal of 1.5 million by 2010.
The Statewide Summer Reading Program is a Commissioner's priority initiative and the marked increase in participation shows the importance of the program in public libraries, small and large, across the state. The increase in participation from 2007 to 2008 is 15%, and the increase over the past eight years has been 338%.

"During the summer of 2008, children and families made reading for fun a top New York State summertime activity", said Cannell. "Taking full advantage of what public libraries in New York State offer resulted in record participation in the Statewide Summer Reading Program. This involvement with reading during the summer months leads to better academic performance when children return to school in the fall."

Additional thanks go out to all the public library systems and the public libraries that made the Statewide Summer Reading Program such a success in 2008. 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.

In the coming weeks, the New York State Library will be reporting additional valuable information from local libraries and library system final reports on their 2008 Summer Reading Program.

*** MORE SUMMER READING PROGRAM NEWS ***

For 2009, "Be Creative @ your Library" and "Express Yourself @ your Library" are the New York Statewide Summer Reading Program themes.

There will be an exhibit of 2009 Summer Reading Program materials at the Youth Services Section exhibit during the NYLA Conference in Saratoga Springs. Stop by the Pavilion to see the 2009 manual, posters, and graphics.

For further information please see here or contact Karen Balsen, Statewide Summer Reading Program Coordinator, New York State Library, kbalsen@mail.nysed.gov .

The New York Statewide Summer Reading Program is supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.