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G2S Project Code: 2017-CT-79107
State: Connecticut
Fiscal Year: 2017
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: 10/01/2016
End Date: 09/30/2018
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
$42,123.00
$0.00
$0.00
$42,123.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' formal education.
Reading Program (Summer Reading)
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Summer Reading program and tracking
Narrative:

In 2018, CSL provided CSLP summer reading program manualsfor public libraries in online format only. CSL shared login information forthe manual with 120 libraries. The manual included information on running asummer reading program, programming ideas, and bibliographies on the year'stheme, "Libraries Rock."

 

CSL provides free access for public libraries touse Evanced Solutions Wandoo Reader software. Participants could report eitherthe number of books read, the number of pages read, or the number of minutesspent reading. This online option for tracking summer reading can connect withyoung patrons who might never visit the library, engage children who have nointerest in traditional programs, promote communication between the library andparticipants through the Summer Reader portal, and relieve library staff ofclerical duties, freeing time to work directly with children to promote reading.All of these activities support a basic goal of Summer Library Programs – toencourage 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: 57
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:
Of the 123 libraries responding to a survey on their summer reading programs, 102 libraries used the CSLP theme and materials. Of the 123 libraries, 57 libraries used Wandoo Reader from the state library, and the 13 other libraries that used online summer reading management software chose a different online program. The remainder of those reporting used paper logging. All 123 libraries reported having a summer program for children, 111 libraries reported having a summer program for young adults, and 91 libraries reported adult summer reading. Children in 65 programs counting books logged 320,157 books read, children in 38 programs counting minutes logged 8,195,570 minutes of reading, children in 8 libraries counting days logged 11,151 days where they read, and children in 4 programs counting pages logged 986,844 pages read. Teens in 56 teen programs counting books logged 25,584 books read, teens in 21 teen programs counting minutes logged 1,836,938 minutes of reading, teens in 3 programs counting days logged 643 days, and teens in 10 teen programs counting pages logged 1,555,813 pages read. Adults in 59 adult programs counting books logged 32.353 books read, adults in 2 adult programs counting pages logged 423,012 pages read, and adults in 1 program logging days read 60 days. At the 123 libraries responding to the survey, 43,336 children, 7,800 young adults and 10,076 adults registered for the summer reading program. DLD Youth Services Consultant compiled 5 levels of summer reading lists for the seventh consecutive year. Schools have now become accustomed to these lists and begin asking for them in April.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
CSL's contract with Evanced Solutions ended in summer 2018, and CSL re-examined options for summer reading software to start in 2019. CSL contracted with READsquared. The contract began in December 2018, and by mid-December twenty libraries had already created accounts with the new company. 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:
Offering membership to the CSLP is important in jumpstarting library summer reading programs because it offers ready-made materials, lists, activities, etc. Not ALL libraries choose to use the program, but it is by far the program of choice for Connecticut libraries. Offering online summer reading management software is an important option for many libraries, though again, not ALL libraries choose to use it. Offering annual summer reading lists has become an expectation by the schools in Connecticut, many of whom have adopted the lists as their own for their summer assignments.
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