EDITORIAL: Library summer reading a vital learning tool

Published 9:20 am Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Summer reading programs kick off this week at the local libraries, aimed at broadening the minds of local readers of all ages. Through the years, the summer reading program has expanded, becoming a family-focused event featuring activities for readers at all levels to get everyone involved.

As we’ve stressed in previous editorials, although summer is a time to vacation and wind down, it provides vital opportunities for parents to allow their children to interact with peers in learning activities. Though these activities are fun and engaging, they still promote education and learning — in settings outside the typical standard classroom.

This is particularly imperative as we’ve all seen and read how virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic is still impacting students.

The summer reading programs and similar activities help bridge the gap between one school year to the next and demonstrate that learning is a continuous process that doesn’t shut off and on just because school is not in session.

According to a recent Gallup poll, American adults are reading fewer books than they have in the past, down to 12.6 from 15.6 in 2016. This decline is not only unfortunate but also not a strong example being set for younger readers.

Free, voluntary reading, like the opportunities provided by the library’s programs where children select their own titles at their level, is an asset in helping them become more engaged in reading.

The summer programs at the library also feature enrichment activities, such as arts and crafts and special presentations that often can’t be included in the classroom setting because of time or financial constraints. This is a chance for young people to be exposed to programs some would otherwise never have an opportunity to experience.

Please make an effort to include summer reading activities at the library in your summer schedule. Remember, that progress is now charted based on the number of minutes read and not the number of books. Registration is underway for all ages with kickoff events slated from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday for teens at the Hancock Street Branch, 127 E. Hancock St., and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mary Vinson Library, 151 S. Jefferson St. Be sure to also pick up a brochure that includes all of the fun programs and activities — they’re all free.

These types of skills often carry over from one school year to the next and hopefully show up in the classroom and the next stages in life as well. They show young people that learning can often be fun and much less like a structured requirement, promoting lessons that will hopefully spark their interest in learning and reading as a life-long process from their youth on into adulthood and beyond.