The Springfield-Greene County Library District's Summer Reading Program strives to maintain and build reading skills for readers of all ages, but we know not everyone can visit the library branches. That's where Summer Reading to Go comes in.
It offers an opportunity for kids, teens and adults to participate in library programs at locations where they spend much of their time during the summer — day camps, child care facilities and summer school.
"Most of the sites we serve provide child care during the hours parents are working, which coincide with the times that most of the programs are offered at our local branch libraries," said Outreach Services Department Manager Allison Eckhardt. "And many of our families lack transportation to travel to library programs, so we bring activities and materials to them.
"Through our outreach efforts we are able to stimulate an interest in reading and books with our participants and provide a connection to our public library programs and services," Allison said.
Summer Reading to Go is coordinated by the library district's Outreach Services Department and five staff members, with help from many of the libraries' youth staff and community partners. Funding comes from a Library Services and Technology Act Grant, and administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Missouri State Library and the Library District.
The program began in 2004 and offered weekly events to about 120 children at four area parks. By 2014, Summer Reading to Go had 6,638 participants at 116 locations throughout Greene County. This year the program now serves more than 130 participating sites, including additional sites due to the expansion of Springfield Public Schools summer school program.
This year's program goes to the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, Salvation Army, The Kitchen, Inc., Springfield Community Center, Southwest Center for Independent Living, Rare Breed, GLO Center and summer schools in Springfield, Willard, Ash Grove and Strafford.
Allison added, "We are always excited about reaching new audiences, and many of these partnerships develop into year-round outreach programming sites."
Sarah Jane Rosendahl, Community Relations
copywriter,
Springfield-Greene County Library District.
1 July 2015
