For Immediate Release
May 31, 2017
Theme for SCCLD's 2017 Summer Reading Program
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – May 31, 2017 – With the school year almost at an end, it can be easy to slip into the long, lazy days of summer as soon as the first vacation day arrives. But don’t become too complacent, cautions educators and librarians alike. Summer is a great time to keep the educational momentum going, ensuring readiness for the following school year and beyond. By providing fun summer activities that also promote creativity, exploration and knowledge, the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is helping kids, teens and adults stay academically current through a multitude of free programs and events offered throughout the summer.
“’Reading by Design’, this year’s summer reading theme, showcases the imagination of authors, illustrators, builders, inventors, artists, architects and others who have been instrumental in creating a more interesting, livable and beautiful world,” stated Nancy Howe, Santa Clara County Library District County Librarian. “This summer, we hope our programs will motivate each of us to create, design, and learn,” Howe continued. Promoting the love of reading, creativity and scientific discovery, “Reading by Design” encourages participants to discover their creative side while integrating reading into their lives. By completing selected tasks and trying new activities, participants discover an abundance of helpful library resources as they enjoy enriching and creative experiences.
Residents are encouraged to enroll in the program beginning June 1, 2017 at their local library or online @ www.sccl.org. Free and open to everyone, “Reading by Design” activities are scheduled at all SCCLD libraries for almost every day of summer. Activities, programs and incentives are grouped in four different categories:
- Pre-Readers 0-5
- Kids 6-12
- Teens 13-18
- Adults 18+
Students can experience many forms of learning loss over the summer months, with the majority losing two months or more of grade level equivalency. These few months of loss compound over the years, and can put a student behind by two years according to the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). However, access to and participation in quality learning opportunities such as those offered for free through SCCLD’s summer reading program, can lessen this loss and even help boost a child’s scholastic abilities.
The Santa Clara County Library District’s Summer Reading Program remains one of SCCLD’s most popular programs with almost 20,000 kids and over 4,000 adults participating last summer. This summer, adults and teens will receive a free tote bag upon registration, and kids age 1-12 who read at least 5 books over the summer can earn a museum pass (while supplies last).
Complete instructions for signing up for the reading program can be found at SCCLD’s website @ http://www.sccl.org/summer-reading. Residents are encouraged to visit the library to get a free library card, participate in fun events and read all summer long. The “Reading by Design” summer reading program begins June 1 and lasts until July 31, 2017. A complete listing for all summer related activities can be found at: http://www.sccl.org/summer-events-2017.
About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.
In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2016, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.
The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2016, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 270,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.1 million items.
Contact:
Nancy Howe/Chris Brown /Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3002/3014
