In honor of the season and the day, I am reposting an article I wrote for Novelist a few years ago for this early summer edition of Throwback Thursday. At the time, this felt like edgy stuff – ditching the CSLP theme felt like a crazy move! However, based on responses to the piece, I learned that many other libraries were also (and were already) rethinking summer reading.
Fast forward to 2016 and libraries are still doing just that – rethinking, reframing, and redesigning summer reading programs to create more value, reach more people, and have a greater impact. Inspired by what many other libraries are doing, Chapel Hill Public Library is embracing the summer challenge framework and expanding the scope beyond just reading to embrace experiential learning as well.
As I post this, and thanks to our fabulous Youth, RA, and Marketing staff, we are launching our 2016 Summer Challenge: Read More, Do More, Learn More – I’ll let you know how it goes.
Raise your hand (and comment below) if you and your library are rethinking the season and your approach to it. I’d love to hear about what you are doing!
Going Rogue for Summer Reading: A Totally Local Approach to our Busiest Season
Originally appeared in the October 2013 issue of Kids & Books
It all started in the fall of 2011. After another summer — our busiest season at Lawrence Public Library — staff from Children’s, Teen, and Adult departments gathered to discuss how the summer reading program went. Good participation numbers? Check! Engaging slate of programs? Check! Lots of happy readers? Check! Continue reading “#TBT – Going Rogue for Summer Reading”
658.8 - Marketing, Management, Leadership, Libraries 