Literacy League- Summer Reading Partnerships and More

In 2017 an academic and public library joined forces to pilot a collaboration for their summer programs. The academic library was asked to support the college summer camp by reading stories to children from its small children's collection. Since resources were limited, an academic librarian reached out to the local public library who was very willing to help. That summer, the academic and public libraries worked together to provide children attending the summer camp with library card applications, summer reading logs, and enhanced story times which included reading, puppets and flannel boards. As a result of this teamwork, the academic library benefited by being able to support the college summer camp with a summer reading program. The public library benefited with an increase in participant numbers and the opportunity to tap into a new audience. Both institutions realized this was only the beginning of a collaboration that could potentially sow great rewards for all involved. This was not a one-time outreach opportunity but rather a collaborative enrichment activity that could be provided every summer.  In 2017, the focus was just on children. The public library received over 200 new summer reading program participants and new library cards were issued not only for the children reached at the summer camp, but also their parents. Next year, the program will be expanded to reach more children, include more public library visits and involvement, as well as include more assessment of the success of the program. In addition, early planning and collaboration will contribute to marketing and extending the public library's existing summer reading program to college students. Why stop there?

Track

Student Literacy

Presenters

Janelle Gonzalez, Miami Dade Public Library System

Nora Morales, Miami Dade College

Janelle Gonzalez is the branch manager of two public libraries in the Miami Dade Public Library System. 

Nora Morales is the Associate Director for Learning Resources at the Miami Dade College Kendall Campus. She is also the President of the Dade County Library Association.

They have 37 years combined experience of tackling issues in the library field. 

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