Summer has finally arrived! With the sunny weather and long days filled with possibilities of adventures, vacations and summer activities the public library is ready to welcome everyone for their Summer Reading programs. Readers of all ages – babies to adults – can enjoy fun and free activities at all locations of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. Youth Services Librarians are hosting summer reading kick-off parties at local branches to provide information about upcoming events and free reading logs for families.

Why read over the summer? For one thing, it can be incredibly fun, relaxing, centering and therapeutic. Books allow the reader to safely explore faraway lands, universes, alternate realities and all realms of the imagination. Books are how you download new information to your brain – and it’s awesome! You automatically look smarter when caught reading. Literacy doesn’t have to be stiff and formal- you can find value in comics all the way over to science books. The world is yours – and a library card is free.

Avoid the Summer Slide

Another positive aspect to staying (or becoming) involved with your local library is that you can help prevent a phenomenon known as the “summer slide.” “Summer slide” is the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Every heard the saying “if you don’t use it, you lose it?” This is especially true for children during the long months out of school.

A white paper, commissioned by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, thoroughly reviews the existing literature on summer reading to critically examine the evidence base related to the need for, and the effectiveness of, summer reading programs. The literature reviewed demonstrates that reading over the summer does stem summer slide, with children in low socioeconomic families in most need of and benefiting most from summer reading programs.

Three Easy Tips to Prevent the Summer Slide

• Read at least three age/level appropriate books over the summer (though more is always better!) If you are unsure, ask your local librarian. We are always happy to help!
• Read aloud – This benefits every age, from toddlers to teens. This helps not only reading comprehension, but can really benefit struggling readers. Read together. Ask questions.
• Read something every day – this can be done virtually anywhere: the morning paper, signs, magazines, comics, instructions, blogs – ANYTHING.

Your local public library offers a well-established summer reading program that encourages kids, teens, and adults to read over the summer. Educational, fun enrichment activities throughout the summer are an important feature of the programs. You can find out more about summer reading opportunities for all ages at hmcpl.org.

Your local branch will have more information on specific events, but here are some dates for Kickoff Parties. These are super fun ways to get excited about reading for fun, free programs and activities and tons of learning opportunities.

Program Kick Off Parties

[themify_hr color=”orange” width=”75%” border_width=”1px” ] Eleanor Murphy Library Kickoff
Tuesday, May 31 at 4:00 pm

Oscar Mason Library Kickoff
Friday, June 3, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Bailey Cove Library Kickoff
Friday, June 3, 1:00 pm

Read Around the Block Party at Madison
Saturday, June 4, 9:00 am

Downtown Branch Kickoff
Monday, June 6, 2:30 pm

You Might Also Like…

• What Are Librarians Reading This Summer? 
• Check Out a Wi-Fi Hotspot This Summer! 
• 2016 Summer Fun Guide for Huntsville & North Alabama