Blogger Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers committee

The Partnership Parade: Teaming up for Sustainable Summer Library Services

As the final school bells of the year begin to ring, a collective sigh slinks its way through the ranks of youth library workers everywhere. Some are in relief: we’ve planned it all and we’re ready to go. Some are riddled with stress: did we do enough? Are we really ready to take on our role as informal educators for the next three months? The start of Summer Reading, Summer with the Library, Summer Learning, and every other name umbrellaed by conjoining the wide-ranging ideas of ‘reading’ ‘learning’ and ‘libraries’ is upon us, and though we might be ready for all that summer brings, are the families in our communities also prepared on the same page? For many families, the start of summer brings to fruition feelings of joy, rest, warmth, and exploration, but for many others it also brings to the forefront unique insecurities and unsureness. Children who were…