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Summer Reading Resources

CSLP suggested timeline for summer reading planning

ICFL events and deadlines are marked as

October 2011

2012 Summer Library Program Manuals arrive. As you read through the manual, jot down ideas for stories, games, crafts, or programs that come to mind. Are there new books that complement the ideas presented here? Plan a brainstorming session with area librarians. You have lots of time!

January through March 2012

If your budget allows, this is the time to contact potential performers.

  • January 1, 2012: Second CSLP Catalog order deadline- Receive orders by April 1

Planning to participate in School Partnerships? Now is the time to contact your school principals and school librarians!

February and March 2012

Call schools to schedule visits in April and May.

  • March 21: Last day to apply for Bright Futures Outreach Opportunities

April 2012

  • Details of summer programs should be finalized in order to prepare flyers and other promotional literature. Contact local businesses and organizations for sponsorship support.

May 2012

Visit schools; mail Summer Library Program promotional literature.

Summer 2012

Good luck with your summer programs. Have fun!

September 2012

Give yourself a pat on the back! Send thank-you notes to Summer Library Program sponsors and thank all library staff and volunteers who helped out this summer. Send press releases to local media regarding Summer Library Program participation.

  • September 15: School Partnerships participants only: Follow-up Form due to ICFL

Your Collaborative Summer Library Programs (CSLP) Summer Reading Manual is packed full of great summer programs material! Here are a few resources in your manual that will help you start planning for summer reading now:

    Chapter 1:
  • Letter to local businesses
  • Call for volunteers
  • Program planning form
  • Planning calendars

CSLP has additional resources available for members to download at www.cslpreads.org. You will need to login to/set up your free user account in order to access these materials. More info...

 

More Planning Tools

Summer Reading Planning: Tips for Librarians. This is a great planning tool created by Enid Costley for the Library of Virginia using funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Quality Resources
Research, Presentations, School Resources, Public Awareness

Game Board for Preschoolers

This new early literacy activity game board can be used for summer reading or all year. The design is generic so that you can determine how best to use it - you decide the prize levels and prizes, etc. Two versions are available: Use 'as is' for activities that promote the Six Early Literacy skills, or customize the board with your own activities.  This tool is designed to fold in half, presenting your library's information and instructions for parents on the front, the activities on the inside, and early literacy information on the back.

Some ideas for use:

  • Split up the activities into groups of 5, have parents bring gameboard in after each five to get a prize or enter a drawing.
  • Ask parents to complete a certain number of activities, then bring in to library for prize or enter a drawing.
  • Daycare staff can complete activities with their classes, then receive prizes or books from the library (on-site or outreach).

Download Gameboard

PDF File

MS Publisher 2007

MS Publisher 98

NOTE: MS Publisher files allow you to modify the gameboard to a greater extent. If you have MS Publisher, you may be encouraged to download the Publisher file and have the ability to tailor the game to your needs. The PDF version only allows you to modify the library name and instructions for the gameboard.

Web Banners and Skins

Web Banners from the CSLP are available on the CSLP website www.cslpreads.org. Members must login (see above), then click on the "Downloads" tab. All downloadable material is listed on the left. See "web banners."

Programming Ideas and Book Lists

Updated regularly- check back often! Last updated 10-3-2011.

  • 2012 Children's Summer Reading Theme Illustrator, Brian Lies
  • 2012 Teen Summer Reading Theme Illustrator, Christian Fuenfhausen
  • Free online resources: Upstart/Highsmith and TeachingBooks.net will be partnering with the Collaborative Summer Library Program to offer online access to materials that support the “Dream Big - Read!"” and “Own the Night” slogans and manuals.  The collections will include author interviews in video, audio, and written formats; audio booktalks with authors, illustrators, and narrators; book discussion and activity guides; audio recordings of authors pronouncing and telling stories about their names, and links to author and illustrator websites. To use the TeachingBooks resources, go to the CSLP website at www.cslpreads.org/ and log in (create an account if you need to – it’s free and quick to do).  Click on PROGRAMS > CHILDREN'S PROGRAM > RESOURCES.

Disclaimer: Though we are happy to pass along resources that may help you plan and implement your summer reading program, the ICfL does not endorse any “for profit” resource

  • “We Read. We Dream. We Sing” is a collection of 15 songs that promote reading, and make going to the library fun. They were written specifically for youth librarians to use during the 2012 summer reading program. The CD comes with a 50-page activity guide. CDs are $16.99, but you can get them for $11.99 until December 31. To preview, check out www.LibrarySongs.com.
  • THE CITY DARK is a new feature documentary about light pollution and the disappearing night sky. After moving to New York City from rural Maine, filmmaker Ian Cheney asks a simple question: “Do we need the stars?” Read more... 
    Pricing:     Public performance rights are $195 for a one-time event and $295 for unlimited events. Consider partnering with other local libraries.

Announcements from CSLP

Youth Manual: On page 235 in the Night Shivers chapter, the DVD title should be "Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of
the Were-Rabbit," not Vampire.