[October 13, 2009] OLIS congratulates Rhode Island public libraries for their noteworthy successes this past summer during the 2009 Be Creative @ Your Library children’s summer reading program and the 2009 Express Yourself @ Your Library teen summer reading program.

Overall, RI public libraries do an amazing job with their local summer reading programs. What follows are highlights from some of the programs held in libraries across the state.

Selected Success Stories and Highlights: Be Creative @ Your Library

The children's summer reading program

• Washington Park Library in Providence saw a 44% increase in participation in their summer reading program. In 2008, 38 children participated. In 2009, 68 children participated. The library had a 100% completion rate. All 68 children successfully completed their school’s summer reading requirements.
• Cranston Public Library saw a 33% increase in participation in their summer reading program. In 2008, 322 children participated. In 2009, 480 children participated. The library had an 89% completion rate. Children who successfully completed the program read for at least 15 hours over the summer.
• Woonsocket Public Library saw a 29% increase in participation in their summer reading program. In 2008, 100 children participated. In 2009, 140 children participated. The library had a 91% completion rate. Children who successfully completed the program read at least 6 books over the summer.

Children and families flocked to the library in droves this summer to watch Rhode Island’s talented storytellers, magicians and musicians. The following libraries were filled to bursting:

• Island Free Library on Block Island averaged 120 people per show.
• Cranston Public Library averaged 114 people per show.
• Newport Public Library averaged 109 people per show.
• Barrington Public Library averaged 108 people per show.
• Central Falls Public Library averaged 105 people per show.
  

Selected Success Stories and Highlights: Express Yourself @ Your Library

Six new libraries reported teen summer reading programs in 2009. Congratulations to Rogers Free Library in Bristol, Central Falls Public Library, Glocester Manton Public Library, Mt. Pleasant Library in Providence, North Scituate Public Library, and the West Warwick Public Library.

• Lincoln Public Library saw a 47% increase in participation in their YA summer reading program. In 2008, 72 teens participated. In 2009, 106 teens participated. The library had a 90% completion rate.

• Peace Dale Library in South Kingstown saw a 45% increase in participation in their YA summer reading program. In 2008, 42 teens participated. In 2009, 61 teens participated. The library had a 100% completion rate in 2009, compared to a 33% completion rate in 2008. Teens who successfully completed the program read at least 15 minutes a day 5 days a week.

• Coventry Public Library saw a 36% increase in participation in their YA summer reading program. In 2008, 21 teens participated. In 2009, 33 teens participated. The library had an 85% completion rate.

Teens were very generous volunteering their time in the library this past summer. Highlights from some libraries:

• Cranston Public Library: 53 teens volunteered for 12 hours each assisting with programs, shelving, and maintaining the magazine collection;
• Greenville Public Library: 114 teens volunteered for 9 hours each serving as book buddies, assisting with youth programs, and weeding and shifting books in the YA area;
• Warwick Public Library: 45 teens volunteered for 20 hours each this past summer listening to summer reading reports from younger children, handing out prizes, assisting at events, prepping for craft programs and collecting books for displays; and
• Pawtucket Public Library: teen volunteers sorted used books for the Friends of the Library book sale.

Thank you to all of the teens who worked so hard this summer to make the library a more welcoming place! And thanks to the library staff who welcomed the teens and included them in so many aspects of library programming.
 
Programs for teens also abounded.

• Cranston Public Library: a whopping 823 teens attended a multitude of programs including crafts, games and field trips.
• East Providence: 272 teens enjoyed theater, creative writing, babysitting, yoga, crafts and gaming programs.
• Tiverton: 338 teens expressed themselves through robotics, video production, dancing and performing in a talent show.
• Greenville library staff tirelessly led 52 programs, including cooking, acting, gaming, crafts and movies.

As these numbers really demonstrate, Children’s and Young Adult librarians work incredibly hard in the summer welcoming children, teens and families to the library. In addition to welcoming people who walk through the library door, many librarians have uplifting stories to share of finding new summer readers through creative outreach efforts and partnerships.

Congratulations, one and all!

Sponsors for the Rhode Island Children's Summer Reading Program include the RI Office of Library and Information Services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, McDonald's Local Owner/Operators of Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Red Sox, Citizens Bank, and Rhode Island's Children's Librarians. Additional support is provided by local public libraries, public library friends groups, local merchants and other sponsors.

Learn more about the Summer Reading Program.