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G2S Project Code: 2016-CT-76960
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2016
Grantee
Connecticut State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Linda Williams
Director Phone: 860-704-2207
Director Email: linda.williams@ct.gov
General Information
Title: Summer Reading
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2015
End Date: 09/30/2017
Abstract: The CT State Library offered programmatic support and tracking software to encourage librarians to implement summer reading programs in their libraries. Summer reading programs encourage children and young adults to read and to maintain or improve their reading skills during the summer break, thereby readying them for the next school year. The State Library participates in the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) to give Connecticut public libraries access to affordable, high quality Summer Reading materials, which include both promotional items (bookmarks, posters, etc.) and programming resources.


State Goal: Literacies and learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$44,490.00
$0.00
$0.00
$44,490.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Reading Program (Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Summer Reading program and tracking
Narrative: In 2017, the CT State Library purchased CSLP summer reading program manuals for public libraries in three formats – USB, DVD, and online – as a stepping stone to moving to all online manuals. CSL distributed 150 manuals, which included information on running a summer reading program, programming ideas, and bibliographies on the year's theme, "Build a Better World."

CSL provides free access for public libraries to use Evanced Solutions Summer Reader software. Participants could report either the number of books read, the number of pages read, or the number of minutes spent reading. This online option for tracking summer reading can connect with young patrons who might never visit the library, engage children who have no interest in traditional programs, promote communication between the library and participants through the Summer Reader portal, and relieve library staff of clerical duties, freeing time to work directly with children to promote reading. All of these activities support a basic goal of Summer Library Programs – to encourage reading during the summer.

Intent: Improve users' formal education.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Digital


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 1
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 85
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
CSL collected data via an online survey and received data from 129 libraries, at least 85 of which used Evanced Summer Reader software to track their statistics. All 129 libraries reported having a summer program for children, 109 libraries reported having a summer program for young adults, and 79 libraries reported adult summer reading. 113 libraries used CSLP for their children's program, 83 libraries used CSLP for their young adult program, and 49 libraries used CSLP for their adult program. Children in 69 programs counting books logged 314,087 books read, children in 40 programs counting minutes logged 9,556,866 minutes of reading, children in 10 libraries counting days read logged 56,159 days where they read, and children in 4 programs counting pages logged 1,358,282 pages read. Teens in 63 teen programs counting books logged 31,083 books read, teens in 20 teen programs counting minutes logged 2,271,390 minutes of reading, teens in 3 programs counting days read logged 765 days, and teens in 7 teen programs counting pages logged 1,439,524 pages read. Adults in 49 adult programs counting books logged 23,458 books read, adults in 2 adult programs counting pages logged 331962 pages read, and adults in 1 program logging days read 60 days. In the 85 libraries using Evanced Summer Reader that reported children's and teen registration numbers, 42,364 children and teens registered in their summer reading programs. The 68 libraries reporting actual participation in their summer programs reported 27,691 children and teens participating.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
CSL's contract with Evanced Solutions ends in summer 2018, and CSL will re-examine options for summer reading software in calendar year 2018. While CSL has had good participation with Evanced, some libraries have reported limitations with the software, which will be addressed in the next contract, if possible. CSL will continue to provide membership in the Collaborative Summer Library Program, which has been extremely successful.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The best lesson learned is that in order to make the most of offering an online program, CSL needs to offer many training opportunities and considerable support. In speaking with other state library youth consultants who have offered online programs without as much success, it is evident that the level of support is the mitigating factor.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: CSLP