Summer Reading Renaissance: An Interactive Exhibits Approach

by Rita Soltan

Overview

Energize your library summer reading program with this new approach that involves all ages, and rekindles the desire for children and families to read together for recreation, pleasure, and their own curiosity. No more counting hours or books, no rewards and awards—just reading and learning fun! Drawing on the methodology of museums and learning centers, Soltan offers practical guidelines for designing an interactive, centers-based program; and presents four complete themed units that include complete directions for sample projects, materials lists, and suggested books. She also shows you how to build interest, secure funding, work with vendors, and use technology; as well as how to train staff, create a coordinated, intergenerational, volunteer and school-based community service effort; and how to evaluate your program. This is a creative, hands-on approach that will get readers involved and keep them involved summer after summer, and all summer long.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781591585725
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/30/2008
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Rita Soltan, an independent Library Youth Services Consultant, worked as a public children's librarian for 32 years in New York and Michigan, and she supervised youth services departments for 15 years. She is author of Reading Raps: A Book Club Guide for Librarians, Kids and Families (Libraries Unlimited, 2005) and she reviews children's books for Kirkus Reviews and School Library Jourbanal.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1: Creating a Renaissance
Chapter 1: Are Library Summer Reading Programs Passe?
Chapter 2: Energized Enthusiasm: Adapting the Museum Model and Learning Centers Approach
Chapter 3: A Summer Reading Revival: Designing a Centers-Based Program
Chapter 4: The Essential Extra: Volunteer Boosters
Chapter 5: Review and Reflect: Measuring Outcomes
Part 2: Sample Centers-Based Programs
Chapter 6: Interactive Intrigue
Chapter 7: Summer Down Under: An Awesome Aussie Experience
Chapter 8: Invention Convention
Chapter 9: Traverse the Universe
Index

Editorial Reviews

Well organized, with detailed directions and ideas, the book is good for any librarian working with children from beginning readers to sixth grade.” —Booklist

“Intended primarily for librarians and media specialists who run summer reading programs for children, this guidebook provides practical guidelines for creating interactive centers designed to encourage children to read. Rita Solton draws on ideas from the museum world to come up with exhibits that far transcend the traditional bulletin boards used in libraries of yesteryear.” —Children's Literature Association

From the Publisher