Registration is open for summer reading program

WILMINGTON, Del. –  Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney and State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman on Wednesday announced the launch of the 2021 statewide Summer Library Reading Program, Tails and Tales. Delaware libraries are noted for hosting the longest running statewide public library summer reading program in the nation. Now in its 43rd year, the annual Summer Library Reading Program provides early literacy programs to help children build and develop reading and language skills, teen programs that motivate teens to read and discuss literature, and programs that encourage adults to experience the joy of reading.

“Foundational language skills are critical for healthy brain development and school readiness for our youngest children,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, who convenes the First Chance Delaware initiative and serves as honorary chair of the Delaware Library Card Campaign and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. “Developing literacy skills and the library habit support ongoing success as students move through and beyond school. And the two-generation programs and access to supportive services at our libraries also help to build strong families and communities.”

“Libraries are helping Delaware students make up for the unfinished learning that occurred over the past year,” said Governor John Carney. “We are working to get third grade students reading on grade level, and reading even 20 minutes a day can have a big impact on a child’s development. I encourage Delaware families to visit your local library this summer, pick up a book, and encourage those in our lives to keep reading and keep learning.”

Registration for the Summer Library Reading Program at all public libraries is free in person or online. Incentive badges are awarded based on reading and activity milestones.  Visit the Summer Library Reading Program for the schedule of online and outdoor events throughout the summer. The Performing Arts component of the program is sponsored in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.

“For more than 40 years – for generations of Delawareans – Delaware libraries have been cultivating reading and learning passions,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Whatever your interest, whatever your talent, the library supports it.”

Delaware libraries encourage Delawareans of all ages to track their reading and learning during the summer and throughout life. A variety of tips, tools, and techniques for tracking individual interests are available on the Unleash Inner Genius guide. Young “pre-readers” (children who cannot yet read) can get credit for books that are read to them. Throughout the summer, libraries provide a variety of fun and educational arts, cultural, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs to encourage reading and spark curiosity.

About the program:

Summer arts programs are supported by the Delaware Division of Libraries and, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division of Arts promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.

The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks; programs/workshops; community partnerships; and more.

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(Dover, DE ) Delaware First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, Delaware Libraries, and United Way of Delaware join the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) in launching National Summer Learning Week, a celebration dedicated to elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer; ensuring young people return to school ready to succeed.

Delawareans can embrace summer learning fun with a high-energy show for children and their families featuring Antonio Rocha, Storyteller, co-sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts on Wednesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Also, on Thursday, July 9 at 6 p.m., families will have a chance to celebrate their love of reading with DJ Mike during Get Delaware Reading’s Family Breaks. Plus, many more programs will be offered online by Delaware libraries throughout the week and all summer long!  View the Calendar

“This summer, more than ever, it’s important to keep children engaged in learning in ways that are creative and fun,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “Our libraries and their partners—including families, the most important partners of all—are finding innovative ways to appeal to kids’ curiosity and energy this summer. A library card can help—a lot.”

At the onset of the pandemic, libraries launched online library card registration for eBook check out, and now Curbside Check Out is available for print books.

“For more than 40 years—for generations of Delawareans—Delaware libraries have been cultivating reading and learning passions, in multiple ways and in multiple formats,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Whatever your interest, whatever your talent, the library supports it.”

“Summer learning is even more critical today than it was yesterday. Students are faced with a growing achievement gap due to COVID and the summer slide. Now is a great time for students and their families to continue to engage in activities that nurture a love of learning, especially reading,” said Schlonn Hawkins, director of Get Delaware Reading, presented by United Way of Delaware. “United Way is excited to be a part of programs that will help build the love of learning within our students as they prepare for the upcoming school year.”

For a full list of programs or to register for the Summer Library Reading Program visit delawarelibraries.org/summerreading. Delaware libraries encourage Delawareans of all ages to track their reading and learning during the summer and throughout life.  A variety of tips, tools, and techniques for tracking individual interests are available on the Unleash Inner Genius guide.

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Summer arts programs are supported by the Delaware Division of Libraries and, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division of Arts promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com. The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks; programs/workshops; community partnerships; and more.

Founded in 1946, United Way of Delaware (UWDE) works to advance the common good by focusing on three key areas: Early Education, College and Career Readiness and Financial Stability. UWDE is engaged in a long-term strategy to eliminate the root causes of Delaware’s most pressing social problems in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. UWDE works collectively with businesses, government, social service agencies, academic groups, community organizations and concerned individuals to establish positive, long-lasting solutions for today and into the future. For more information or to support UWDE, visit www.uwde.org, follow us on Twitter @UnitedWayDE, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWayofDelaware, or call  (302) 573-3717.

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is the only national nonprofit exclusively focused on closing the achievement gap by increasing access to high-quality summer learning opportunities. NSLA recognizes and disseminates what works in summer learning, develops and delivers capacity-building offerings and convenes and empowers key actors to embrace summer learning as a solution for equity and excellence in education. For more information, visit www.summerlearning.org.

(Dover, DE) Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney will host a virtual kick-off of the 2020 statewide Summer Library Reading Program, Imagine Your Story, on Wednesday, June 17 at 10 a.m. with State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. The launch is co-sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts and will feature a virtual performance by Turtle Dance Music with Matt Mazar.

“Promoting foundational language skills is a critical part of giving all of Delaware’s children a ‘first chance’ to succeed,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, who convenes the  First Chance Delaware initiative and serves as honorary chair of the Delaware Library Card Campaign and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library pilot program. “The library habit supports educational success and also supports strong families, with two-generation programs and access to a range of services. I’m very proud of my Delaware library card, because of what it does for me and what it represents for our community.”

The virtual kick-off can be accessed at the Delaware Libraries website, along with details about the program and registration.

Delaware libraries are noted for hosting the longest running statewide public library summer reading program in the nation. Now in its 42nd year, the annual Summer Library Reading Program provides early literacy programs to help children build and develop reading and language skills; teen programs that motivate teens to read and discuss literature; and programs that encourage adults to experience the joy of reading.

“Librarians help to generate a passion for reading and learning,” said Governor John Carney. “A healthy reading habit motivates, inspires, encourages creativity and prevents the summer slide.”

“For more than 40 years — for generations of Delawareans — Delaware libraries have been cultivating reading and learning passions,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Whatever your interest, whatever your talent, the library supports it.”

Young “pre-readers” (children who can’t yet read) can get credit for books that are read to them. Throughout the summer, online this year, libraries provide a variety of fun and educational arts, cultural, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs to encourage reading and spark curiosity.

Registration for the Summer Library Reading Program at all public libraries is free online. Incentive badges are awarded based on reading and activity milestones.  Delaware libraries encourage Delawareans of all ages to track their reading and learning during the summer and throughout life.  A variety of tips, tools, and techniques for tracking individual interests are available on the Unleash Inner Genius guide.

Visit the Summer Library Reading Program for the schedule of online events throughout the summer. The Performing Arts component of the program, including Turtle Dance Music, is sponsored in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.

About:

Summer arts programs are supported by the Delaware Division of Libraries and, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division of Arts promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com

The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks; programs/workshops; community partnerships; and more.

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Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney will kick off the statewide 2019 Summer Library Reading Program, A Universe of Stories, this week at two public libraries. She will be joined by special guest ventriloquist Uncle Ty-Rone the Kid’s Comedian.

The kick-off events are:

• 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 7 at the Delmar Public Library; and
• 3:00 p.m. Friday, June 7 at the New Castle Public Library.

“Promoting early literacy and school readiness is a critical part of giving all of Delaware’s children a ‘first chance’ to succeed,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “The library habit is about literacy, as well as parent-child engagement and access to other services that support strong and healthy families. To support our families and a First Chance for all of our children, I encourage every Delawarean to get and use a Delaware library card.”

Delaware libraries are noted for hosting the longest running statewide public library summer reading program in the nation.  Now in its 41st year, the annual Summer Library Reading Program provides early literacy programs to help children build and develop reading and language skills; teen programs that motivate teens to read and discuss literature; and programs that encourage adults to experience the joy of reading.

“Librarians help to generate a passion for reading and learning,” said Governor John Carney. “A healthy reading habit motivates, inspires, encourages creativity and prevents the summer slide.”

“For more than 40 years — for generations of Delawareans — Delaware libraries have been cultivating reading and learning passions,” said State Librarian, Dr. Annie Norman. “Whatever your interest, whatever your talent, the library supports it.”

Young “pre-readers” (children who can’t read yet) can get credit for books that are read to them.  Throughout the summer, libraries provide a variety of fun and educational arts, cultural, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs to encourage reading and spark curiosity. 

Registration for the Summer Library Reading Program is free in-person at all public libraries or online. Incentive prizes are awarded based on reading and activity milestones.  Delaware libraries encourage Delawareans of all ages to track their reading and learning during the summer and throughout life.  A variety of tips, tools, and techniques for tracking individual interests are available on the Unleash Inner Genius guide.

The following programs for children will be presented at all public libraries throughout the state; visit the Summer Library Reading Program site for the schedule of events and additional information:

• Space! The Cosmos for Kids and The Music, Bubble and Comedy Show: A Universe of Stories! presented by Turtle Dance Music, in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.
• The Wizard of Oz presented by Stephens Puppets, in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.
• Footsteps on the Moon with the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation.
• Universe Stories (Mousetronaut, Zoo in the Sky, and I Am Moon) discover the fascinating world of space with the Delaware Nature Society.

About:

Summer arts programs are supported by the Delaware Division of Libraries and, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division of Arts promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com

The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks; programs/workshops; community partnerships; and more.

Delaware’s First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney will kick off the statewide 2017 Summer Library Reading Challenge, Build a Better World, this weekend at public libraries in all three counties.   She will be joined by special guests The Cat’s Pajamas, a musical comedy trio.

The kick-off events are:

• 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the Dover Public Library;
• 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10 at the Milton Public Library; and
• 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10 at the Newark Free Library.

“Making reading achievement a priority helps to build a foundation for future success,” said First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney. “Research has shown that children who read over the summer perform better when they return to school in the fall and are able to retain and even improve upon reading skills learned during the past year.”

Delaware libraries are noted for hosting the longest running statewide public library summer reading program in the nation.  Now in its 38th year, the annual Summer Library Challenge provides early literacy programs to help children build and develop reading and language skills; teen programs that motivate teens to read and discuss literature; and programs that encourage adults to experience the joy of reading.

“Librarians help to generate a passion for reading and learning,” said Governor John Carney. “A healthy reading habit motivates, inspires, encourages creativity and prevents the summer slide.”

“For more than 38 years — for generations of Delawareans — Delaware libraries have been cultivating reading and learning passions,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Whatever your interest, whatever your talent, the library supports it.”

Young “pre-readers” (children who can’t read yet) can get credit for books that are read to them.  Throughout the summer, libraries provide a variety of fun and educational arts, cultural, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs to encourage reading and spark curiosity.

Registration for the Summer Challenge is free in-person at all public libraries or online at delawarelibraries.org/summerreading.  Incentive prizes are awarded based on reading and activity milestones.  Delaware libraries encourage Delawareans of all ages to track their reading and learning during the summer and throughout life.  A variety of tips, tools, and techniques for tracking individual interests are available at guides.lib.de.us/unleashinnergenius.

The following programs for children will be presented at all public libraries throughout the state; visit http://guides.lib.de.us/summerchallenge2017 for the schedule of events and additional information:

• Hooked on Books with master comic Mark Lohr, in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.
• The Build It Better Shop with musical storyteller Rick Waterhouse, in partnership with the Delaware Division of the Arts.
• Think it! Build it! Test it! learn about the engineering process with the Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation.
• The Delaware Nature Society will present a variety of nature-related programs.

Summer arts programs are supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com

About:

The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks; programs/workshops; community partnerships; and more.