The more things change, the more they stay the same. As public libraries add new programs and services that incorporate the best of digital technologies, we are holding on to the traditions that have always guided us - promoting reading and writing, especially in the long, languorous days of summer.

Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents 'summer slide'. Summer learning loss is cumulative. Children who lose reading skills over the summer find it hard to catch up in the fall because other children are moving ahead with their skills (Cooper, 2003).

Source: Copper, H. (2003). Summer learning loss: The problem and some solutions. Eric Document ED475391.

Summer reading programs in public libraries in North America began in the 1890s as a way to encourage children to read during their summer vacation (ALA). These summer programs have the advantage of not being located in school buildings, which helps reduce any negative perceptions about learning for struggling readers.

Summer reading programs encourage children to develop lifelong reading habits, drawing even reluctant readers into the fun enrichment activities related to books.

Source: American Library Association. (n.d.). Library summer reading programs. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet17

If you're interested in creating high-quality summer learning opportunities for young people, the National Summer Learning Association http://www.summerlearning.org offers useful resources, tools and expertise for summer learning program providers and stakeholders.

Research has shown that voluntary and self-selection of reading materials is crucial in motivating young people to read (Evers, n.d.). They are interested in reading about things that are important to them socially, such as self-esteem, friendship and LGBTQ issues.

Most summer reading programs provide pre-selected lists of books to get kids started but there is flexibility for following their own reading adventures. The key component to successful reading programs is to ensure access to books of a wide variety of genres and formats,

Source: Evers, T. (n.d.). Why public library summer reading programs are important. Retrieved from http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/pld/pdf/slp-points.pdf

Reading has moved beyond paper into the sociocultural realm of kids' day-to-day experiences and libraries have explored innovative ways to engage young readers with ebooks that incorporate multimedia features (audio narration, sound effects, animation and links to dictionaries), motivating even the reluctant reader to night owl. Ebooks have seen steady growth in libraries and they are excellent companions for kids on summer vacations.

Increasingly, public libraries are providing opportunities for children to practise their reading skills by reading to therapy dogs in a relaxed, non-threatening atmosphere. The gentle, non-judgmental nature of these dogs has a calming effect on children and helps them become confident, lifelong readers.

Successful reading dogs programs include the (Reading Educational Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D) Program http://www.therapyanimals.org/Read_Team_Steps.html, launched in Utah in 1999 and the Story Dogs program http://storydogs.org.au in Australia.

Who are the brilliant and passionate people behind out favourite books? Public libraries help young people connect reading with writing by hosting children's book author meet-and-greet sessions and writer-in-residence programs. These are great opportunities for young people to get the authors' autographs and also receive feedback on their writing scripts.

The first American bookmobile was actually a wagon, the Washington County Library Wagon which took books to scheduled stops and made impromptu deliveries from 1905 till 1910, when it was hit by a train (O'Neal, 2012). Since then, the idea of overcoming geographic and economic barriers by bringing books to people has caught on.

Today, bookmobiles have evolved into digital labs on wheels. In summer 2014, the Edmonton Public Library put its first literacy van on the streets, calling it a "food truck for the brain" (Price, 2014).

Sources:
O'Neal, J. (2012, July 12). A brief history of American bookmobiles ... in pictures [Blog post]. Retrieved from
http://bookriot.com/2012/07/12/a-brief-history-of-american-bookmobiles-in-p...

Price, G. (2014, July 24). "A food truck for the brain": First of four Edmonton Public Library epl2go literacy vans hits the streets [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.infodocket.com/2014/07/24/edmonton-public-librarys-epl2go-litera...