For Immediate Release:
October 16, 2013
Winners of Program Announced
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – Each year students around the nation often experience what experts call “the summer slide.” According to the National Summer Learning Association (established by Johns Hopkins University), research spanning more than 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the conclusion of the summer vacation than on those same tests taken at the beginning of summer. Students who did not participate in summer reading activities scored even lower. To help combat this troubling phenomenon, the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) along with libraries nationwide, hosts annual summer reading programs.
“We are pleased to announce the overall success of this year’s Summer Reading Program (SRP). More than 12,800 children, teens and adults throughout the Library District registered for the program, which resulted in tens of thousands of books being read over the summer. In addition to joining the program, more than 12,000 library patrons attended at least one of the 215 Summer Reading Program events held throughout the Library District. This type of participation and patronage sends a clear message about the importance of reading and the quest for continuing knowledge,” stated Gail Mason, SCCLD Library Services Manager and coordinator of the Library District’s Summer Reading Program
“Dig into Reading,” the theme of this year’s children’s program, offered a variety of incentives to keep kids reading throughout the summer. The simplicity of the program enabled thousands of kids to register and participate on a continuous basis. Once registered, kids then read and logged any books (including graphic novels, audiobooks, or downloadable books) into their account. The more books read, the greater the prizes. Free programs ,including puppet shows, magicians, and arts and crafts, were offered throughout the summer months to help keep children interested in a variety of educational activities.
For teens and adults, “Beneath the Surface” was chosen as this year’s theme. Encouraging patrons to delve beneath the surface and dig deeper into a subject, participants were encouraged to register for the Summer Reading Program (SRP) and to read at least five books. A system-wide drawing was held at each library for all adult and teen participants.
Adult and teen participants who read a minimum of five books were eligible for prize drawings that included a Nexus 7 Google Tablet or an iPad Mini. “Summer Reading is a very popular program at all of our libraries, and next year we look forward to continued growth in the number of participants,” continued Mason. “Not only does Summer Reading help reduce the ‘summer slide’ for students, but it supports lifelong learning for adults. Based on the number of books read and attendance at the Summer Reading programs, it’s clear that our patrons look forward to Summer Reading each year.”
Drawings for the Nexus 7 Google Tablet and the iPad mini were recently held. 2013 winners are as follows:
2013 Summer Reading Winners:
Teen Category: Winners of a Nexus7 Google Tablet:
Ian Wyrick /Campbell Library
Divya Sidhabathuni/Cupertino Library
Emiliano Esparza/Gilroy Library
Ramya Satish/Woodland Branch Library
Tiffany Pham/Milpitas Library
Garrett Howe/Morgan Hill Library
Leda Bracy/Saratoga Library
Adult Category: Winners of a Nexus7 Google Tablet:
Jana Steeves/Campbell Library
Kathy Stakey/Cupertino Library
Kathleen Craig-Mylius/Gilroy Library
Ester Cheng/Los Altos Library
Anne Martinez/Milpitas Library
Diane Ratcliff/Morgan Hill Library
Margery Chen/ Saratoga Library
Winners of the iPad Mini:
Teen: Kara Wen/Cupertino Library
Adult: Jane Cu/ Cupertino Library
About the Santa Clara County Library District
Known as one of America’s best 100 public libraries, the Santa Clara County Library District 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.
For eleven years, the Library has ranked as one of the best in the nation for its size by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. Also recognized as one of America’s 2013 Star Libraries by Library Journal, the Santa Clara County Library District is one of the most-used public resources in the region.
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 2013, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 215,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.2 million visitors who borrowed 9.7 million items. Visit Santa Clara County Library District online at www.sccl.org.
Contact:
Derek Wolfgram/Mark Fink/Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3002/3010/3014
