Winter/Summer Reading Clubs
Winter and summer reading clubs represent the heart of the Library's literacy efforts. That's why we are so pleased to report the success of these two critical programs. For many years, these reading initiatives have been supported by The Friends of Cleveland Public Library.
Specifically, the summer reading program had a 34 percent increase in attendance over the previous year, which had also experienced an increase over the year prior. We were also especially pleased to see a 50 percent increase in teen participants, since it has historically been difficult to recruit teens for reading programs. In total, 6,200 children read more than 53,000 books! It should be mentioned that participation on the Bookmobile—better known as "The People's University on Wheels"—was up 500 percent for the year.
A grant from Target funded the 2010/2011 Winter Reading Club, which focused on the importance of reading at home, especially during holiday break. Current studies have shown the importance of reading aloud in helping to build vocabulary and overall comprehension. With the assistance from this grant, children received books to take home as incentives and rewards. In addition, the grant was used to fund a week-long writer in residence program with beloved children's author and illustrator Denise Fleming. As an incentive for at-home reading, third-graders in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) participating in the Winter Reading Club received one of Fleming's books. Nearly 4,000 students participated.
