I would be remiss as a "librarian" not to spread the word about summer reading. Like my own kids, I am just as guilty of not making time to read as much as I should during the summer. We spend the entire day running to sports camps (yes, basketball is an all-year sport in my house), league games and travel team tournaments, swimming in the pool, playing in the neighborhood and chatting over the campfire with some awesome neighbors. When we get in the house, we crash like mighty oaks who have outgrown their roots.
Here's my goal for this summer...three simple ABC steps to get the family reading regularly.
A is for Access
Access, access, access is what I normally yell for technology. Access to equipment, access to resources, access to expert assistance. Books are much the same way. To truly embrace a great book, readers need access to places to get books (free is preferable, cheap is acceptable), access to books themselves, and access to professional readers (Librarians of the world unite!). So, how do I (or my children and students) get access to books during the summer...
1. Our awesome public library. Wisconsin is blessed with some excellent public library systems. If you can't find your favorite book at your local library, they will get it shipped from another library to your local one for FREE! Then you can check it out for FREE! I live in the Outagamie-Waupaca Library System (OWLS) and they truly are the greatest library staff and group of libraries anywhere.
2. Reading clubs for children, young adults and adults through public libraries, Starbucks or book stores. Reading with others is always more interesting than reading by yourself. Discussing great books, or even just good books, brings the story to life.
3. Digital or audio books for iPad, Kindle or Nook. Load up your reading list at the beginning of summer and you are good to go. I currently have 32 books on my iPad for summer reading enjoyment and I take them to every kid's sporting event, vacation, barbecue, etc... My intent is to sit by the pool while the kids swim, enjoy our lovely Wisconsin summer and read. I will also bring them on our trip to Florida in August to listen on the way or read at the beach.
Book for my trip south
4. If you are a teacher, please ask your school librarian for a stack of books for the summer. Over my 13 years in districts, I loaned thousands of books to teachers over the summer...why? As we all know, teachers (elementary, esp.) have time over the summer to catch up, reinvigorate, and truly enjoy all the new books that came out during the year.
Call it "literature refreshment" as opposed to the liquid kind.
B is for Books That I Want To Read
Read what interests you. Don't get caught up in "I should read this..." or "I have to read this..." Summer reading needs to be interesting and engaging and make the time investment worthwhile. Read something you don't have time to during the year.
I would encourage you to try audiobooks as well. Easily downloaded to your iPod/iPad, audiobooks are great for long trips, walks, lounging by the pool or at the beach.
The professionals at your local public library will always be there to help you out. If you need suggestions, please email me.
C is for Commitment
Just as we take time to retool and retrain for our increasingly complex profession, make the commitment to re-invest in your own literacy. I am a believer, whether I can prove it or not, that reading voraciously improves writing abilities (no comments please), rational thinking (again with the comments), memory, vocabulary and the ability to communicate effectively.
The Zen side of me also knows reading is a method to calmness, inner peace, and satisfaction.
Make the commitment to find 30 minutes a day to exercise your brain.
On a personal note...
Thank you all for a great first year at CESA 6 and in your school districts. I have met so many great teachers, students, administrators, like-minded techno-nerds and media specialists this year...my head is spinning with possibilities for future collaborations.
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