Summer Matters

Summer reading for children is a long standing and cherished tradition in public libraries across America, but today’s kids need to master new skills and competencies. Today’s summer programming needs to move beyond reading to engage children with hands-on activities, thus keeping their brains active even when school’s out. Here, a team of librarians and educators from the Chicago Public Library (CPL) and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry present a guide based on their award-winning, STEAM-inspired approach. They outline practical steps for libraries and cultural institutions to partner in creating a sustainable summer learning program that’s both fun and educational. This book explains what STEAM is and why it’s important for libraries; provides evidence-based research on summer slide, the achievement gap, and 21st century learning skills; walks readers through building a cultural partnership, collaborating efficiently, and sustaining the relationship into the future; offers tips for managing institutional change; provides guidance for developing a new vision for summer at the library, with pointers on adding learning tracks to existing programs and addressing design challenges; details how CPL evaluates and assesses their program; and includes templates for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), mission statement, logic model, and sample Summer Learning Challenge evaluations. Loaded with innovative program ideas, this resource will ensure that learning continues even while school is out.