In class last night we discussed a variety of topics. We discussed things that made me think, like the idea that all the MP3 songs I buy I don't actually own (mind blown). But towards the end of class we discussed a topic, for a split second. This topic is summer reading. We had been discussing why we need libraries and had just gone over the idea that a library could be a 'safety net' in which librarians provided access to technology that the poor or working class might not be able to afford on their own. Then, Dave mentioned the problems with summer reading. The summer reading programs give kids prizes for reading a certain amount of books. This sounds great right? Kids are now motivated to read, but suddenly reading for the love of reading is now replaced by reading for a prize. It becomes less about the intrinsic value and more about an extrinsic value. So next year, if a kid does not enter in the summer reading program that kid might not read, because whats the point if they don't get a prize.
Though we didn't talk about this for long, this concept stuck with me. I have always been a huge supporter of summer reading programs. As a kid I loved the read, like I devoured thirteen books in a month and then rushed out to read more. This is a trend that still continues today. If you ever see me, chances are you are going to see me with a book in my hand. Being an education major in undergrad I supported any program that got children to read. I used to go into libraries and smile as I saw the signs that said "100 kids are participating in our summer reading program and they have read 1,000 books." I used to smile and think, wow look at all of those kids who the libraries summer reading program made a difference. Ironically, I never questioned how much of a difference those programs were really making.
For my library interview, I interviewed a youth librarian who dealt with the summer reading programs over the summer. To my shock, I found that she believed there was a major problem when it came to the summer reading programs. She informed me that libraries cared too much about the numbers. That too many libraries focused on how many kids were involved in the program and how many books they had read. She used the example, that if a 7th grader reads twenty-five picture books, he may get a prize for reading books, but they were below his reading level and thus, thats not really improving his reading skills or interest in reading. Should the library really be excited because he read twenty-five picture books? The librarian I talked to suggested that libraries focus on promoting discussion between kids. Have kids review books, or share their excitement in reading with other kids. Unfortunately, with the idea of prizes kids end up only reading to get a prize. This doesn't instill a love of reading, people won't want to read if there is no prize. I know some summer reading programs where kids read a book, jot down the title on a piece of paper and then bring that paper to the library to get stamped each week. If they have read a book each week then they get a prize. Since summer months are really busy, there are tons of kids going to get their papers stamped. So more often then not, the kid gets his paper stamped, gets a prize and then that's it. The child never gets to discuss the book he read, why he might want to read more, find out from others books he might want to read next.
Now I'm not saying that summer reading is bad. I still am a huge fan of it. I think that summer reading promotes children reading and hopefully that will allow them to develop an interest in a topic. Summer reading may help a child find out that he loves books on Dinosaurs. He would have never known it if he hadn't picked up a dinosaur book and he might not have done that if not for summer reading. Plus, summer reading brings children to the library. Going to the library to get a prize means that kids who might not have otherwise gone to a library, now are going. They might stick around and see some of the other programs the library might have to offer, etc. The summer reading program has lots of benefits. I just think that it should be less about prizes and more about discussion. Even if summer reading programs had a way for kids to discuss the books they read and libraries could post these reviews on their website.
I suppose I'm saying, if summer reading is just about the numbers. How many books, how many kids participated, etc, and not about what the kids got out of it, then does it really make a difference?
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