New York State Reading Program Offers Incentives to Kids Who Read

Company: The New York State Library's Statewide Summer Reading Program

Programs: Merchandise

Program Types: Consumer

Program Details: The John Jermain Memorial Library partnered with the The New York State Library's Statewide Summer Reading Program which distributes a programming kit to all 1,200 public library branches and reading center locations in the state. The program's theme is "2001: A Reading Odyssey." The program rewards kids with a sticker for every visit, and a prize for every book read; four books gets a child a pass to the Riverhead Marine Aquarium (courtesy of WBLI, a Long Island radio station); a bookplate for reading five books; a logoed pencil for seven books read; a magnet for10; a bicycle license plate for 15; a wallet for 20; a Frisbee for 25 and a water bottle for 30. Children are required to write one book report, do an illustration of one of the books they read or write a paragraph on one of the books, says Kerri Acierno, the library's director. "It keeps them honest," she says. On August 24, the participating children will receive their awards at a pizza party featuring the songs of children's singer Zack Morgan. The John Jermain Memorial Library's reading program also included book related movies for kids, a pajama party, a craft program and talks on marine life sponsored by the Riverhead Marine Aquarium on such creatures as sea turtles and whales.

Objective: According to studies conducted by the New York State Library, children who continue to read during the summer when school is not in session perform better in the fall when school resumes. Summer reading programs make educational reading activities fun and appealing to young people. "It really gets kids involved in reading over the summer," says Acierno.

Results: "Kids come in multiple times during the week because they are not only in competition with themselves, they are in competition with their peers-in a healthy way," Acierno says. Seventy kids received certificates and prizes at the pizza party held on August 24th.