FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 21, 2005

For More Information, Contact:
Jonathan Burman, Tom Dunn, or Alan Ray at (518) 474-1201
Internet: http://www.nysed.gov

The State Board of Regents and State Education Commissioner Richard Mills are encouraging all children to participate in the New York State Library’s statewide free Summer Reading Program, "Tune in @Your Library."

More than 1 million children, or 32% of K-12 students statewide, participated in last year’s Summer Reading Program through 1,000 local libraries, up from 825,000 participants just two years before. The new goal is to reach 1.5 million children by 2010.

"Reading during the summer is important for everyone, and especially for children from low-income families," Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said. "It helps children keep and even improve the reading skills they’ve developed during the school year. And some studies show that children who don’t read during the summer lose skills by fall. Summer reading can help close the achievement gap."

"Children need to keep reading through the summer so they don’t have to catch up on their reading skills when they return to school in the fall," State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said. "When children read throughout the summer, they become better readers and better learners. I urge families to take advantage of the free reading program offered this summer at all of the State’s public libraries."

Studies show that children can and do improve their reading ability during the school year. But they lose reading ability during the summer if they don’t read – while children who read during the summer actually improve their reading ability.

In one study, children from low-income families were less likely to read during the summer, and they lost almost half of the gains they had made during the school year. Children from high-income families were more likely to read during the summer, and they gained another four months of reading ability because of it. These losses can continue for years, and they contribute to the achievement gap.

The Summer Reading Program encourages reading without setting a number of books to finish or requiring specific titles. But with so many choices, how does a child know where to start? Local librarians are there to help, guiding children to books that are in tune with their tastes and interests. Research shows that when children select their own reading material, the positive experience leads to more time spent reading and improved reading ability.

"When children read what they enjoy, they learn to love reading and become better readers," said Janet Welch, Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and New York’s State Librarian. "The summer reading program is particularly important to children in less advantaged families where books might not be readily available. This program can be a very effective tool in helping to close the achievement gap between rich and poor."

Fliers encouraging parents to partner with their children and urging them to sign up for "Tune In @Your Library" are available in 9 languages on the New York State Library web site. Go to www.nysl.nysed.gov and click on "Statewide Summer Reading."

Planning for the 2005 Summer Reading Program was made possible with federal Library Services and Technology Act funds awarded to the New York State Library by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The project was coordinated by Crystal Faris, Youth Services Manager, Nassau Library System.

One of the nation’s leading research libraries, the New York State Library has served New Yorkers, state government and researchers from throughout the United States for more than 180 years. It is the largest state library in the nation and the only state library to qualify for membership in the Association of Research Libraries. The New York State Library is a program of the State Education Department.

Attached is a table showing participation rates in different regions of the State.

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June 2005

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