summer library programs: life-changing programs versus summer soldier shawn brommer

Summer Library Programs:

Life-changing programs

Versussummer soldier

Shawn BrommerSouth Central Library System

Madison, WIMarch 6, 2013

Wisconsin led the way!Be proud!

• Wisconsin created first statewide SLP in 1972.

• National model

• We’re still leading the way!

Happy 12th Anniversary!

Value of SLP & public libraries:talking points

• Achievement gap• Successful experiences• Books into homes• Motivation

Closing the achievement gap

• Loss of 3 months of reading comprehension • Accumulative: 2 year loss by 6th grade.• Middle school is too late.

Closing the achievement gap

• Good news– consistency over quantity– Easy access is key– Freedom to choose– Access to reading materials levels the playing field

Successful experiences

• Solutions– Hassle-free registration– Hassle-free record keeping– Freedom to choose • books, genres and formats

– Equitable recognition

Books into homes

• Solutions:– Book purchases?– Libraries have books, audio books, e-books!– Books as program incentives

Motivation

• Solutions– Talk to parents, teachers, community partners– Keep it simple– Provide opportunities to succeed– Appropriate, equitable incentives– Freedom to choose materials and set own goals

Incentives

• Experiential• Learning connection• Philanthropic• Goal is successful participants

Power to Change

• Permission granted!• Talk up the values• Make it simple and hassle-free• Evaluate incentives

Contact me!

Shawn BrommerSouth Central Library Systemsbrommer@scls.lib.wi.us608-246-7974

Resources

• Allington, Richard and Anne McGill-Frantzen. Summer Reading: Closing the Rich/Poor Reading Achievement Gap. Teachers College Press, 2013.

• Allington, Richard. What Really Matters for Struggling Readers: Designing Research-Based Programs, 3rd ed. Pearson, 2012

• www.readingrockets.org• www.summerlearning.org

Image credits• Slide 1, 8 – 11, 13 - 16 : Around the House that Jack Built, Roz Abisch and Boche Kaplan. Parents'

Magazine Press, 1972. (op)• Slide 2: Flickr Creative Commons• Slide 3: 2013 CSLP clip art cd.• Slide 4: Group of Children Reading in Library. Greendale, WI, 1938. Wisconsin Historical Society

photo collection.• Slide 5: Summer library program photo. Madison, WI, 1978. SCLS photo collection• Slide 6: Laugh n’ Leap Bounce House sales web site.• Slide 7: Flickr Creative Commons• Slide 11, Norfolk Public Library, VA, Facebook page• Slide 18, Slide 1: Around the House that Jack Built, Roz Abisch and Boche Kaplan. Parents' Magazine

Press, 1972. (op)