Collaborative Summer Library Program

About

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is a nonprofit, charitable organization that supports literacy, education and science through summer reading programs in public libraries across the United States. The management of CSLP is overseen by the Board of Directors who plan, communicate and coordinate all operations and consist of state representatives or librarians from participating libraries. The mission statement of the CSLP is to "empower libraries to foster community". Today, the CSLP is a consortium of libraries with representation from all 50 of the United States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and the Mariana Islands working together to share and develop high-quality programs for children, teens and adults. The Collaborative Summer Library Program provides program materials, artwork and technical expertise in the form of a manual that membrship libraries can order. Its current office is in Mason City, Iowa.

History

CSLP began in 1987 with ten Minnesota regional library systems that joined together to create a theme, artwork and program ideas for libraries to use for children's programming. By combining resources and collaborating with a commercial vendor, the libraries were able to provide cheaper, higher-quality resources to promote child and teen reading during the summer.

Summer Reading Programs in Libraries

Many libraries offer summer reading programs for teens and children in coordination with school districts. These reading programs can contain events such as movie nights, raffles or specialty workshops. According to Bertin 2004 a study by the U. S. Department of Education found that 95% of all public libraries offered a summer reading program. These programs are used to prevent summer learning loss. Children's programs in libraries began around the turn of the century beginning with the Cleveland Library League in 1895. For more information about the early development of children’s librarianship see McDowell 1995. Early reading programs focused on the quality of the books and contained required reading, but newer education trends focus on breadth of reading to create an “avid reader,” as is discussed in The Enduring Effects of Education by Herbert H. Hyman, Charles R. Wright and John Shelton Reed.

The Official Summer Reading Program

The Collaborative Summer Reading Program provides an extensive manual of program and promotional ideas to participating public libraries. This includes artwork such as logos and program scripts with supply lists for activities and crafts. This lost cost program is now something that the majority of public libraries offer and work with local school districts to increase student participation. This program encourages children to continue learning while not in school; it is free, easy, and fun for all involved. The American Library Association website states that they provide a grant for public libraries in order for them to afford this program and offer it to all their patrons for free. The Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant offers up to three thousand dollars to assist libraries in purchasing this program as well as recognizing ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) libraries and their employees for the outstanding development of this program. It seems that if the librarians apply they will receive help through this grant and support from the country wide association that is the American Library Association, to encourage the libraries and their workers to offer as well as make this program as beneficial as possible to their young patrons.

Summer reading programs are tailored to different age groups (early literacy, children, teens and adults) and promote literacy and community in a fun way. Each summer a theme is picked and content is created around this theme that libraries can use for little to no cost. Previous themes include: Build a Better World (2017), On Your Mark, Get Set, Read (2016), and Every Hero Has a Story (2015).

Slogans

Children's

• 1996: Get in the Game at Your Library
• 1997: Thrills & Chills at the Library
• 1998: Rock 'N Read
• 1999: Treasure Your Library
• 2000: Cosmic Connections
• 2001: Reading Road Trip USA
• 2002: Join the Winners' Circle
• 2003: Laugh it up @ Your Library
• 2004: Discover New Trails
• 2005: Dragon, Dreams & Daring Deeds
• 2006: Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales
• 2007: Get a Clue @ Your Library
• 2008: Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library
• 2009: Be Creative @ Your Library
• 2010: Make a Splash @ Your Library
• 2011: One World, Many Stories
• 2012: Dream Big - Read!
• 2013: Dig Into Reading
• 2014: Fizz, Boom, Read!
• 2015: Every Hero Has a Story
• 2016: On Your Mark, Get Set, Read
• 2017: Build A Better World
• 2018: Libraries Rock

Teens

• 2004: Get Lost
• 2005: Joust Read
• 2006: Creature Features
• 2007: YNK You Never Know @ Your Library
• 2008: Metamorphsis @ Your Library
• 2009: Be Creative @ Your Library
• 2010: Make Waves @ Your Library
• 2011: You Are Here
• 2012: Own the Night
• 2013: Beneath the Surface
• 2014: Spark a Reaction
• 2015: Unmask!
• 2016: Get In The Game, Read
• 2017: Build A Better World
• 2018: Libraries Rock

Adults

• 2009: Master The Art Of Reading
• 2010: Water Your Mind - Read!
• 2011: Novel Destinations
• 2012: Between the Covers
• 2013: Groundbreaking Reads
• 2014: Literary Elements
• 2015: Escape the Ordinary
• 2016: Exercise Your Mind: Read
• 2017: Build A Better World
• 2018: Libraries Rock

External links

• CSLP home page