Pledge to read this summer

By Kathy Mansfield
kathy.mansfield@education.ky.gov

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is collaborating once again with the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) to encourage students to participate in the state’s 2016 Summer Reading Programs.

This year’s themes are “On Your Mark, Get Set … Read!” (for children) and “Get in the Game: Read!” (for teens).

Teachers and parents are encouraged to help children use the online tool “Find a Book, Kentucky,” available here, to build personal reading lists for summer reading and then locate the selections at their school library or local public library. “Find a Book, Kentucky” uses the widely-adopted Lexile^® measure to match a reader with books that will provide the right level of challenge to support reading growth. School librarians and public librarians are ready to assist children and their parents as they make summer reading selections.

Students, teachers and parents can pledge to read while on the “Find a Book, Kentucky” website. The pledge feature is set to open May 1 and continue through Aug. 31. Kentucky was number one nationally in summer reading pledges for 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Find more information about summer reading on the KDE Summer Reading web page here. Each school’s certified librarian has additional resources to promote Summer Reading Programs.

For more information about specific activities, contests and reading events for the Summer Reading Program in your county, contact your local public library or visit the KDLA Summer Reading web page here.

Contact Kathy Mansfield, library media/textbooks consultant, via email at kathy.mansfield@education.ky.gov with any questions.