By Aisha Misbah, The Seattle Medium
Summer reading is an important bridge between academic years for children, according to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), which says high quality summer programs improve math and reading skills as well as critical social and emotional skills.
To make this happen, libraries in Snohomish and Island counties and Seattle are kicking off programs for all children but especially any who have difficulty getting to libraries among reasons for not having access to books. The Sno-Isle Libraries and the Seattle Public Library (SPL) have their own ways of approaching summer reading.
Sno-Isle Libraries is hosting its 70th annual Summer Reading program this year. The program started June 1 and any child who reads or is read to for 10 hours in the summer could win a free book. This year’s theme is “All Together Now,” which was selected by the Collaborative Summer Learning Program (CSLP), a nationwide cooperative of public libraries.
Jennifer Sullivan, the student success coordinator at Sno-Isle Libraries, says summer reading is a great opportunity to give children the freedom to choose what to read.
The NSLA found that 51% of families would participate in summer programs if they were available to them. Sullivan is aware that some kids may not have the means to get to the library to participate in programs, but Sno-isle Libraries tries to reach them in several ways.
“Our Boys and Girls Club partnership is another way that we do that,” Sullivan said. “We are trying to reach kids who may not otherwise get into the library because we realize that participating in summer reading does require having someone that can get you to a library building during open hours.” There is something for everyone at the public library, including materials in several languages.
Library on Wheels takes the books on the road. This summer they will be visiting Tulalip Heritage High School and Index, among other locations.
Sno-Isle Libraries will offer in-person and online events, community art activities inside the libraries and reading suggestions for kids and teens. Sullivan said she and her team work hard to represent diverse lived experiences, highlighting books about LGBTQIA+ youth, kids of color, or kids with disabilities.
Nathalie Gelms is a youth librarian at the Lynnwood Sno-Isle Library. This coming summer will be her fifth year helping with the summer reading program at her location.
“Some families are really excited to have something that encourages their children to read and gives their children something to look forward to,” Gelms said. Otherwise, they would have little to entertain their kids with, especially with the costs of programs, such as summer camps.
The Seattle Public Libraries has provided summer youth programs since 1919. In year 104 of summer reading for kids, they have a different approach to the summer reading program compared to their colleagues to the north.
Amy Twito is the informal learning program manager and part of the Youth and Family Learning Team at SPL. Pre-pandemic, the library had the traditional approach in which kids could win a book of their choice by reading 10 books by the end of the summer.
“We analyzed where the book prizes were going,” Twito said. “And when we sort of laid it out over a map of Seattle, we realized that the winners predominantly matched higher income levels.”
The library decided it needed to pivot to a program based on racial equity, and summer reading was transformed into the Summer of Learning program (SoL) in 2014.
SPL libraries collaborate with local partners to cooperate on book distribution. South End Stories, a trauma-informed and anti-racist arts education program, has partnered with SPL to develop the content and programming for SoL.
Twito says SPL is focusing the majority of the programming budget on youth furthest away from educational justice, particularly Black, Indigenous, and youth of color; insecurely or formerly insecurely housed youth; LGBTQIA+ youth, and differently-abled youth.
The focus isn’t just on reading literacy but also on other subjects, such as information, digital media and social/emotional literacy. The library focuses participatory learning programs designed to enrich young minds and bring communities together.
For example, SPL is partnering with Delbert Richardson, the founder of Unspoken Truths, an organization that says it leads learners of all ages to self-restoration and community healing. Another partner is Noni Ervin, an author with Imani Immersion, a storytelling program connecting the elder and younger generations using the principles of Kwanzaa, a celebration of African-American culture.
Twito said presenters such as Richardson and Ervin create an intentional Black space for youth who participate in the programs.
With Richardson’s program “American History Traveling Museum: The Unspoken Truths,” kids learn about history through exhibits that he’s been building for several years. Topics include Mother Africa, chattel slavery, Jim Crow and the contributions of Black people in America.
SPL also offers a summer action guide for the entire family. Under this year’s theme “Time Travel Summer,” children and parents are encouraged to deep dive into their past to learn more about their ancestors. Through arts, reading and creativity, children can explore themselves from the past, present and future.
SPL launches SoL on June 8, and families can pick up a “Time Travel” summer action guide at any location.
Last year’s theme was “Superhero Summer.” One quote from student feedback shows the promise of this year’s focus: “My hair is the legacy of Kings and Queens, and is the history of my ancestors. After participating in this program, I am more confident in my own history and am more willing to question what is being taught to me in school.”
