School’s are out for summer starting this week and Delaware’s 2021 statewide Summer Library Reading Program is underway.
“This is the 43rd year of the statewide Summer Library Reading Program. We’re the longest running summer library reading program in the nation, which we’re really proud of, said State Librarian Annie Norman.
And this year’s summer program theme is "Tails and Tales" featuring animals and animal stories. “
"We are actually part of a national collaborative for libraries. So the theme is chosen collaboratively nationally, so all the libraries in the nation that participate are using the same theme (Tails and Tales)," said Norman, "And it also provides us access to quality illustrators that we probably wouldn’t be able to afford locally.”
Registration for the Summer Library Reading Program can be done at any of the First State’s 34 libraries or online.
Then, readers simply keep track of how many books they read this summer. Based on that and other activity milestones, the State hands out incentive badges.
Norman says the program helps young kids build reading and language skills and motivates teens to read and discuss literature. Adults can also participate to experience the joy of reading too.
Norman and Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney kicked off the program last week.
Norman notes that this year’s program is important, especially for younger children, as kids try to make up for learning loss suffered during remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic.
She says all First State’s libraries have lists of recommended books by age group and many created book bundles on various topics. They are also offering arts, cultural and STEM programs.
All of Delaware’s libraries are open, though some have limited hours.
Delaware Public Media' s arts coverage is made possible, in part, by support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
