Monday, June 13, 2011

Summer Library Programs Keep the Reading Light On


5 reasons to believe progress is being made to address reading crisis, by Alan Borsuk. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 6/11/2011)

Excerpt: The Milwaukee Public Library is launching another summer of its very honorable reading program, which includes incentives and prizes for participating kids. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said 20,000 kids took part last summer and he supported City Librarian Paula Kiely in keeping the program strong, amid budget pressures. Barrett said research has shown that "summer learning loss" is one of the main reasons low-income children fall behind other kids. Programs such as the library's are "just keeping the light on in the summer in kids' minds," Barrett said. And that's a good thing.

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