It’s no secret that reading for pleasure and continuing to engage in learning activities during the summer months when school is out can have a powerful impact on students. Those effects can be seen in the subsequent school year and for many more to follow. Five years ago, after learning about how districts in other states were opening their school libraries during the summer, we decided to start our Summer Library Program. Some of our school librarians, with the commitment of support from their school administrators, volunteered to open their schools’ libraries to the New Hanover Schools community four times (per site) over the course of the summer. Each day - at each school - would be a unique experience designed by that school’s librarian. Students could check out books from any of the open locations - even if they were not a student at that school. Books came back, but most importantly - LEARNERS came back. You see, this program is about more than circulation statistics. At its core is the mission to create learners. There is no doubt that it does. The heart of this program is the school librarian. In their unique positions in the schools, their finger is on the pulse of student interest - they know what excites their learners! Each school librarian crafts a program that promotes literacy and STEM. These programs offer choice and variety therefore they appeal to the diverse interests of students. From story gardens and coding practice, to maker-space activities and visits from community partners, each program is a reflection of the insight of the school librarian. Week after week, THIS brings the learners back! When this program began, one of the first things we noticed was that parents of rising kindergartners were bringing their children to participate. Our librarians build relationships that help ease that transition to school for many young learners by creating a welcoming and safe place for our newest students. Last year, one of the students excitedly told me he had been coming to his school’s library since he was a preschooler - before he began Kindergarten there! This type of return patron can be found at many of our Summer Library Program sites. As part of this program, our librarians nurture those relationships that are essential to learning, and follow up with students who participated after school resumes. Due to this, we have noticed an upward trend in student achievement among students that attend our Summer Library Programs. At one site, when the K-3 Text Reading Comprehension (TRC) data comparing end of the year before to beginning and middle of the current year was reviewed, of the 33 students who came regularly to the summer library program, 31 one of them had significant gains in their reading performance. Our middle school program is unique. As the one site for that age group had great attendance, we have been fortunate to add an additional middle school program for this upcoming summer. Additionally, due to construction at the other site, we are revamping its design to best meet the needs of its attendees. Some are high school students that have been a part of the Summer Library Program since it began in 2015 and return each summer to continue learning while school is out. Here, we are expanding on NHCS’ existing partnership with New Hanover County Public Library and have joined with UNCW and the Randall Library to reach our students that are beginning to investigate future college and career paths. We are excited about what this summer holds. Last year set the bar high with the interactive programs and the record setting attendance. In fact, there were over 50 participants present on one day at one of our sites! This particular day combined reading materials about flight, a maker space rocket challenge, and a rocket launching event complete with data collection - and analysis of that data. It was a powerful learning experience. (I hear that this amazing activity may happen again this year.) As we wrap up the school year and enter the fifth summer of the New Hanover County Schools Summer Library Program, we need to acknowledge those that make this possible. This venture is supported by Instructional Services, the Technology department, the school principals at each site, the teachers that volunteer to help lead stations during the program, most importantly, our amazing school librarians who plan and organize their school’s events. These specialized educators are dedicated to creating and implementing engaging, high-quality, literacy-based programs for all students during the summer. They ensure that the love of reading and learning are at the forefront of everything they do and that all students - not just those that attend the Summer Library Program - are on the path towards academic success. For more information about what’s in store during this year’s NHCS Summer Library Program, visit bit.ly/nhcs_summerlibraries
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AuthorJeannie Timken Archives
March 2023
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