beach ball graphic2010 New York Statewide Summer Reading Program: Information and Resources

Summer Reading Program registration in Westchester Library System. Click on the image to see other SRP photos from libraries.

The New York Statewide Summer Reading Program is an annual program that brings children and families into local public libraries for reading and activities. Over 1.5 million of New York's children and teens participated in the State Library-sponsored program in 2008.

The State Library coordinates the program and works with the 23 library systems throughout the state providing a summer reading theme, promotional materials, a creative idea manual, and state-level support.

Studies show that library summer reading programs will raise student learning levels and help prevent learning losses during the summer months.

The New York Statewide Summer Reading Program is a growing program and always reaching out to include more children and families.

In 2007, New York joined the Collaborative Summer Reading Program (CSLP), a national consortium of 47 states that pools resources. The theme and many of the materials available to New York's libraries come from the work of this collaboration.

Some 1,100 local libraries throughout New York State use the theme and materials provided by the New York State Library and CSLP to create a summer reading program geared towards their communities needs. They partner with local organizations and schools to help promote and create the program. The library staff help children select reading materials and provide literacy-enhancing programs such as storytelling, music, creative arts, and performances.

Make a Splash @ Your Library is the 2010 theme for children
and Make Waves @ Your Library the 2010 theme for teens.

Chart showing participants in summer reading programs, from summer 1999 -- 172,000 readers, to summer 2008. We met our goal of 1.5 million readers two years early!

Click on the chart above to enlarge it, or click here for a .PDF version of this chart.PDF icon
We met our goal of 1.5 million two years early!


Summer Reading Program 'Detective Agency' in Watertown. Click on the image to see other SRP photos from libraries.

Summer Reading Program Circus in the Mid-York Library System. Click on the image to see other SRP photos from libraries.

The New York Statewide Summer Reading Program is the best summer bargain in town:

  • Library programs are offered free of charge to all children from toddlers to teens. Parents are encouraged to participate as well.
  • The New York State Library provides the CSLP Summer Reading Program manual to all 1,100 public library, branch library and reading center locations in the state, making available a professional-quality reading program to every community.
  • The New York State Library, though LSTA funding, offers Summer Reading program Grants to the Library Systems throughout the state to help local libraries enhance their summer reading programs. View a list of this year's Statewide Summer Reading Program LSTA Mini Grants for Public Library Systems.
  • Local libraries throughout the State work with the New York State Library and CSLP to create the best program for each community.

Additional Resources

Last Updated: October 1, 2009 -- asm