Summer Literacy Options Abound

It's almost summer break, so it's definitely time to think about how to keep reading all summer long. All Maple Street students are signed up for the Kalamazoo Public Library summer reading program, "Build a Better World." Students are encouraged to read at least 20 minutes each day. There are several resources available to help families find books for their children this summer.

KPL provides access to digital resources via Overdrive through the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services. There are both books and audiobooks that KPL that patrons can access using their library card numbers and PIN numbers and download to a variety of devices.

KPS Library Services has created summer reading lists that will go home in each report card. Below are the middle school lists:

Sixth Grade

Seventh Grade

Eighth Grade

Again this summer SYNC is offering free audiobook pairings for download all summer long. Each week there is a classic title with a young adult title that users can keep once downloaded using Overdrive.

Finally, our Teens Top Ten book club will continue at KPL this summer. We have been meeting all winter and spring at Maple Street and are now transitioning to the KPL Teen Services space at Central Library for the summer months. Upcoming meetings are June 19, July 10, July 24, and August 7, 4:30-5:30PM. Students may pick up pre-published books at any time and then read and review them. We will talk about what you have been reading at each meeting.

No matter where students choose to get the books they will enjoy this summer, we encourage everyone to read at least 20 minutes per day for their own enjoyment and relaxation, as well as to maintain the skills they have developed throughout the school year.

Summer Reading: Sync

Summer reading is upon us (really!) I know it snowed less than two weeks ago, but we're also less than three weeks from the end of school. With so much concern about summer slide, promoting a wide variety of options is key to summer reading success. There are many fantastic options to keep reading through the entire vacation. From traditional summer reading games at public libraries, to digital programs and the use of ebooks and audiobooks, there is something for everyone. I'm planning a series of posts to highlight some of the options available to our students.

One of the exciting programs that has been available for a few years is the Sync Audiobooks for Teens. Sync offers two audiobooks per week from May 5-August 17, 2016. A new pair of audiobooks based on a weekly theme will be available each Thursday morning. A total of 30 titles are available for the summer, including lots of high interest options. Each title can be downloaded in MP3 format using the Overdrive app. The coolest part? Once a book is downloaded, it's yours to keep!

How can audiobooks be enjoyed throughout the summer?

• Listen while you walk or run
• Listen on a car ride
• Listen during a bike ride (on a safe trail--not in traffic!)
• Listen while mowing the lawn or gardening
• Listen while taking a bath
• Listen at bedtime
• Listen while doing chores
• Listen while cooking

Most people who have never tried audiobooks find them to be an enjoyable way to multitask. 

The poster below lists the dates and books available each week. Give one a try and let me know how it goes!