FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Wednesday, July 2, 2008

For More Information Contact:

Jonathan Burman or Tom Dunn at (518) 474-1201

Internet:  http://www.nysed.gov

Regents Urge Families to Enroll Children in New York’s

Free Public Library Summer Reading Program

The State Board of Regents is encouraging all children to participate in the free New York Statewide Summer Reading Program, “Catch the Reading Bug @Your Library.”

More than 1.35 million children participated in last year’s Summer Reading Program through 1,100 local public libraries and branches, up from 1.2 million participants in 2006. The new goal is to reach 1.5 million children by 2010.

Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said, “Reading is a year-round activity. We want to encourage summer reading to sustain the gains made during the school year. Reading expands horizons, and that will help close the achievement gap.”

State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said, “Children who continue reading through the summer do not suffer learning losses that can compound over the years and leave them behind in school. I urge all families to enroll their children in this summer’s free reading program. Libraries play a key role in the Regents strategy to raise the achievement levels of New York’s students.”

            Studies show that children can and do improve their reading ability during the school year.  Children who don’t read over the summer lose literacy skills while children who read during the summer actually improve their reading ability.  This is particularly true of youngsters in high need communities where books and other literacy materials are less available.  Summer learning losses accumulate over several years and are an important contributor to the achievement gap.

          The Summer Reading Program encourages reading and does not require a certain number of books or specific titles.  With so many choices, how does a child know where to start?  Local librarians are ready to help. Library staff will guide children to books that are in tune with their tastes and interests. Research shows that when children select reading materials based on their own interests they spend more time reading and this improves their reading ability.

            Fliers encouraging parents to partner with their children and urging them to sign up for “Catch the Reading Bug @Your Library” are available in nine languages on the New York State Library web site.  Go to www.nysl.nysed.gov  and click on “Statewide Summer Reading.”  

Meet first graders from the Albany City School District’s Sheridan Academy read with a human spider in a video clip promoting the summer program posted at the same website, www.nysl.nysed.gov.

              Parents and youngsters can find fun educational materials and activities and locate their local public library on the official Summer Reading Program website at www.summerreadingnys.org. 

           The 2008 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.      

          The New York State Library is a program of the State Education Department.

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