Summer Reading…More Than Just Reading!

If you read Kristin’s latest blog post, then you already know some of the basics of The Summer Reading Program. But I’m here to dig a little deeper on the subject and tell you about all the cool non-book (that’s right, libraries are more than just books) things happening this summer.  

Did you know that the Summer Reading Program has been around for hundreds of years?  

The Summer Reading Program started in the late 1800s. Or at least a version of The Summer Reading Program started in the late 1800s. These early programs mostly consisted of reading lists for children and teaching kids how to care for books. As time went on, the Summer Reading Program started to incorporate themes, events, prizes, and an increased focus on preventing the summer slide. 

The summer slide, also known as summer learning loss, refers to the decline in students’ academic skills and knowledge that occurs during the summer break when they are not in school. The summer slide is primarily caused by the lack of structured learning opportunities during the summer months. 

This is where JCLS (and libraries all over) come in. Not only do we provide reading lists and continue in many ways to teach children how to love and care for books – but we also provide (mostly) structured learning opportunities in the form of programs and events. I say “mostly structured” because as Kristin mentioned, we don’t want these programs to feel like homework – which is the opposite of fun. 

This year, our Summer Reading theme is Plant a Seed, Read. Plant a Seed, Read is rooted in the concept of farm-to-table. A farm grows food that nourishes our bodies; a library grows ideas that nourish our minds. Both food and stories connect us to our family, culture, economy, and ecology. The programs we have during the Summer Reading Program provide a context for exploring history, science, health, and human connection.  

We have hundreds of programs and events happening in our libraries this summer, but I wanted to highlight some of them.

For our youngest patrons, we are partnering with the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon to provide a special storytime program, complete with songs, stories and fun – reminding families that it is never too early to plant the seed of loving to read. For bigger kids, we are growing our relationship with the Pollinator Project for a seed science program where kids will get to dissect beans under microscopes, use dancing to prepare wildflower seeds, and learn how to get a pollinator garden started. Additionally, for kids and families, we are partnering with the Jackson County Master Gardeners for a program on learning how to grow microgreens at home – this program also includes taste testing different varietals.  

Teens can learn the basics of guerilla gardening with Jordan Land from the Grange Co-Op. Teens will learn how they can make their communities greener and more biodiverse, and they’ll be making their own seed bombs. Additionally, Teens can harness the power of the sun by creating cyanotype prints – a camera-less photographic printing process that uses sunlight, iron-based chemicals, and water. 

For adults, we are doing a handful of screenings of the film ‘Bringing the Salmon Home,’ a short film about the Klamath River Renewal Project. This 17-minute short film tells the story of the world’s largest dam removal and river restoration project. Also for adults, we are featuring author Seamus O’ Caellaigh, author of Pustules, Pestilence, and Pain: Tudor Treatments and Ailments of Henry VIII, for a two-hour presentation on Medieval Medicinal Plants. Patrons will hear about the treatments, medical texts, and the diagnostic techniques of Tudor England, and get some hands-on activity by making their own salve. 

Additionally, we are doing a series of America 250 programming to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Most notably, we are participating in the Sharing of the Spirit of America. This is a nationwide program initiated by the Hawai’i America 250 Commission. Just as the Declaration of Independence was read to the people on July 8, 1776, now, 250-years later, Americans in all 50 states, 5 territories, the District of Columbia, and Minor Outlying Islands of the United States will read the Declaration of Independence ‘together’.  

With the start of 3pm PST, people in communities across America will begin reading the Declaration of Independence.  

We will also bring back living history lecturer Tames Alan for her program titled ‘Tea and Revolution: Women’s Role in the War of Independence’. In this program Tames brings to life many of the extraordinary women whose cunning, courage, and creativity helped win the war and shape our country. 

But there are so many more amazing events happening during the summer. Between reading and attending all these amazing programs – your summer is sure to be booked! 

You can find out more about the Summer Reading Program here. 

Check out our complete calendar of events here.