Summer Reading: Sports, Games and Health!

The State Library of Louisiana has offered a statewide summer reading program in partnership with the Louisiana public libraries for more than 30 years. In the past 16 years, more than 1.7 million Louisiana youths have participated in local libraries’ summer reading programs. 

What began as a program for children has grown to include teens and adults. This year’s theme is Sports, Games and Health. The children’s slogan is On Your Mark, Get Set...READ, the teen slogan is Get in the Game READ,and the adult slogan is Exercise Your Mind READ.

Last summer, in 2015, over 89,000 children and teens participated in summer reading programs, and Louisiana libraries offered 11,666 free programs with more than 331,265 attendees. Studies show that youths who read during the summer returnto school in the fall at or above their spring reading levels. In the last few years we have seen a marked increase in patron usage of the library and participation in library programming during the summer months.

Summer reading programs in Louisiana public libraries offer a wide assortment of activities to draw families in such as art projects, creative writing, story times and engaging programs with performing artists. These activities encourage students to continue reading throughout the summer and cultivate a love of reading in Louisiana’s next generation. Families are encouraged to visit local public libraries to learn about specific incentives and programs available.

The State Library supports the public libraries in offering the summer reading program in conjunction with the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a national cooperative which encourages reading throughout the summer. Those registered with the State Library’s Talking Books and Braille Library also participate. For more information on this year’s summer reading program, visit a local public library.