Summer reading has some long standing traditions in libraries. As the CT State Library has embarked on Library Services and Technology Act Five-Year Plan, 2023-2027

NEW questions have been added to the CT State Library Annual Report FY 2023 (forthcoming) to gather statewide information about summer reading in CT libraries. We are giving you a preview of those questions below:

Summer Reading is part of the foundation of library services. Naturally, we want to know what our communities think of this core offering. Does summer reading make folks feel welcome? Does it make people want to return to the library? We are all seeking to remain in connection with and relevant to our communities. Measuring and understanding outcomes feeds this work.

DLD supports and encourages libraries to think deeply about the outcomes we’re working toward and what difference we want to see in skills, behaviors, and attitudes. Going beyond outputs to outcomes will help you to better understand the assets and challenges of your communities and how the library can continually work with stakeholders and community members to support the entire community during the summer months.

Towards this, we offer you the tools we've developed and offered in recent years. Though optional this year with the inclusion of Summer Reading in the CT State Library Annual Report (discussed above), we strongly encourage taking advantage of the Summer Reading Reports for 2023:

Need some quick and ready Find Your Voice themed activity templates? We have you covered - explore Summer Reading: Summer Program Templates for a paper reading tracker, bookmarks, bingo boards, and more Canva templates!

The CT Summer Meals Program is federally funded by the USDA and state-administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). The program provides free, nutritious meals to kids during summer break. Summer Meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and are composed of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat or another protein. Summer Meals are offered at hundreds of sites around the state from June to late August, serving combinations of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Meals are free to any child age 18-and-under, no questions asked.

If you are interested in getting access to the 2024 iREAD Resource Guide, visit the Summer Reading Report Information LibGuide page, and find the third tab "2024 iREAD Resource Guide" to complete the form.

The theme for 2024 is Read, Renew, Repeat, featuring environmental conservation. "Conservation as a movement focuses on protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services, and protecting biological diversity." Visit the iREAD website to learn more.

The CT State Library is pleased to announce awards in the amount $22,759 to 13 Connecticut public libraries for the 2023 Summer Enrichment Grant. The purpose of the Summer Enrichment Grant is to empower public libraries to enhance their Summer Reading Programs with additional enrichment opportunities for their public by providing library-led programs and activities that spark creativity and productivity, engage individuals, and benefit their communities. 

The CT State Library Division of Library Development held an extra-special virtual launch with the authors of the 2023 All CT Reads primary selections – Rosena Fung, author of Living with Viola, our kids pick; Samira Ahmed, author of Hollow Fires, our teen pick; and Dawnie Walton, author of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, our adult pick. Each author discussed their work and answered questions from our community.

Book discussion sets of all twelve titles are available for reservations and borrowing by public, school, and academic libraries from the Middletown Library Service Center.

Explore All CT Reads website:

All CT Reads is a year-long initiative to promote lifelong reading, learning, and connection that uses a rotating community committee structure to select one main book title and three shortlist book titles, each calendar year for three age groups: children (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13-18), and adults. In addition to the books, All CT Reads provides a supported programmatic structure built around the titles with room for individuality and creativity.

All CT Reads is an initiative of the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development and partners with the Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) and the Connecticut Association for School Librarians (CASL).

All CT Reads is supported by a generous grant from EBSCO Information Services to the Connecticut Heritage Foundation.

DLD will be presenting on our Growing Equitable Library Services (GELS) initiative at the American Library Association’s Annual Conference taking place this June in Chicago! We are excited for the opportunity to share information about GELS with fellow library professionals.