Every summer, libraries look for creative ways to encourage children and families to keep reading. We spend months planning exciting performers, ordering prizes, and designing promotional materials. But last year, we decided to rethink one of the most familiar parts of Summer Reading: the reading log.
Category: Summer Reading
When Summer Reading Feels Repetitive
If questions like these sound all too familiar, you may be experiencing Summer Reading burnout. By the time July rolls around, I can almost recite the next question before it’s even fully asked. “Is there still room for this program?”“Can I get another prize?”“Where is the glue?”“Do you have any zoo passes left?” Some days, I feel like I’ve said the same things a hundred times. The repetitive nature of busy library days can leave even the most enthusiastic librarians feeling mentally and physically drained. As a youth services librarian, summer is a fast-paced stretch of planning and programs. My schedule fills with craft programs, visiting performers, and the steady rhythm of families checking in for Summer Reading. After weeks of setup, cleanup, and repetition, even my most creative ideas can start to feel familiar. Staying energized becomes a challenge as the busy season wears on. The Mid-Summer Routine This…
Can Your Community Survive the Summer? Tips & Ideas from #ALAAC26
To kick off day two of #alaac26, I attended a session* called “Sustaining Your School Library Community Throughout the Summer: A Beginner’s Toolkit,” presented by DoMonique Arnold and Harrison Price. Start with Three Determining Factors My biggest takeaway from this session was the list of three determining factors for a successful summer program: 1. Student Interest If you’re going to go through all of the trouble to create a summer program, it’s crucial that you choose a direction that suits your community. Find out what could be the best fit through discussions or polling with your advisory group, library regulars, and/or book clubs – wherever your community is gathering, you can have a conversation! And, don’t feel like it has to be a big deal… feel free to add in your question(s) alongside any announcements you’d normally make. 2. Student Capacity Although, it may feel like some things slow down…
Passive Dinosaur Programs for Summer Reading 2026!
We are inching closer to Summer Reading and there is so much to do to prepare for all the kids that are ready to Unearth a Story! One of the final touches that I am currently working on is our passive programs for the summer. Passive programs are a great way to engage kids any time your department is open. Here are some passive dinosaur programs that I will be implementing for this year’s summer reading program!
4 At-Home Summer Literacy Strategies
As summer approaches, families may be searching for ways to support literacy development at home. Last month, I wrote about how to speak with caregivers about literacy. In that post, I mentioned the importance of empowering families by offering a few practical suggestions that are easy to infuse into daily routines. Below are 4 simple strategies you can share that align with key literacy concepts. These strategies all follow Science of Reading principles. In addition to sharing with families, you can also use these strategies into your own programming to build literacy skills with patrons!
Setting Realistic Expectations for Summer Programming (and Yourself)
As youth services librarians, we often enter June with a mix of excitement and pressure. Having realistic expectations for summer programming is essential. Summer reading season represents possibility, with higher attendance, energetic programs, and meaningful engagement with families. However, it can also bring an expectation that every program should be a hit. There is also the feeling that we should somehow sustain peak energy all summer long. After months of planning, it is easy to imagine summer unfolding exactly as we envisioned. But summer rarely follows the script. Summer Doesn’t Always Go According to Plan One week may bring a packed room, while the next feels quieter. Some children jump right into activities, while others prefer to watch before participating. Mixed ages show up together and attendance fluctuates. As a result, even the same program can feel completely different from one day to the next. This unpredictability is not a…
2026 Summer Reading Lists: Summer Fun Starts Here!
ALSC’s 2026 Summer Reading Lists are available for free download. Compiled by ALSC’s Quicklists Consulting committee, the lists provide an easy way to share recommended reads with parents and caregivers during the busiest time of year. The lists not only recommend fun and exciting stories but also a variety of apps, podcasts, and websites to help kids discover new and broaden current interests.
Crafts for iRead Summer Reading 2026
The theme for iRead’s summer reading program this year is Plant a Seed, Read. I love nature and gardening, and there are so many connections to growing as a learner that resonate with me. I’ve been busy brainstorming craft ideas for this summer and thought I’d share a few to save you a little planning work. I tend to lean toward process art, so no two projects look the same! Fairy Houses Flip a simple flower pot upside down and paint a door and some windows on it and it becomes a fairy garden! You can also use old empty bottles or milk jugs or whatever you have around and bonus points for recycled materials! Pressed Flower Crafts I keep seeing pressed flower craft ideas, and I just love them. You can even buy pressed flowers in bulk on Amazon if you don’t feel like picking and pressing your own….