Kitsap County has a rich, vibrant tradition of summer reading and learning.
Since 1956, Kitsap Regional Library has offered a countywide summer program—68 years and counting! Originally designed as a youth initiative to keep students engaged in reading during the school break, the program has expanded to offer reading challenges, educational programs, and exciting prizes for residents of all ages.
In the video below, Sharon Grant, Patron Experience Manager, presents the results of this year’s program at the October Kitsap Regional Library Board of Trustees meeting. Spoiler alert - it was a smashing success!
As Sharon highlighted in her report, Summer Learning is a critical tool in helping school-aged children and teens reduce the learning loss often experienced during the summer months.
The U.S. Department of Education refers to this learning loss as the “summer slide,” which occurs when students don’t engage in educational activities during the summer. This slide disproportionately affects students from low-income families, potentially leading to significant achievement gaps.
By middle school, a struggling reader may be as much as two years behind in reading and other academic areas.
For more details, explore the effects of Summer Learning Loss.
Additionally, research continues to highlight the pandemic's impact on reading and learning nationwide.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), an annual report on reading and math performance, revealed in its 2023 findings that student scores are still declining post-pandemic. Alarmingly, reading levels have regressed to rates last seen in 1971. NAEP 2023 report
As students work to regain lost ground, Summer Learning supports each child’s progress by engaging the entire family and making reading and learning enjoyable. Offering enriching, accessible learning opportunities over the summer can transform a period of academic loss into one of achievement.
Interest-based reading and learning are essential because when children select books and subjects that naturally capture their curiosity, their engagement, comprehension, and retention improve, fostering a foundation for lifelong learning.
Summer Learning offers students the unique opportunity to explore topics, programs, and activities that excite them—and rewards them for their efforts. It’s a win-win!
A key highlight of the Summer Learning program is its community-wide performer events. These events not only provide unique and entertaining learning experiences but also foster cultural enrichment throughout our community.
Since the pandemic, the Library has experienced consistent growth in event attendance and, in response, expanded its offerings this year. We proudly hosted over 30 events, attracting nearly 5,000 attendees!
Summer Learning exemplifies the remarkable impact we can achieve through our community's collective support. Fully funded by philanthropy, this program thrives thanks to the generosity of our community. In addition to funding from the Foundation, each of the Friends of the Library groups contributes vital support to make this program possible.
Here’s to another incredible summer of reading and learning at Kitsap Regional Library!
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