News Release

Back to News Releases
Print News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: June 04, 2010

CONTACT: Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us

MBLC Kicks Off 2010 Summer Reading

Go Green at Your Library!

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, and the Boston Bruins, with funding from the Library Services and Technology Act, are pleased to announce the 2010 Statewide Summer Reading Program Go Green at Your Library! A special teen program, tnk grEn (Think Green) has also been developed. Participants select what they want to read, set goals, track their progress online, and are eligible to win great Boston Bruins prizes. Some libraries offer additional prizes including passes to attractions across the state.

Public and school librarians have always known that kids who read for the joy of it are the best readers. Go Green at Your Library and tnk grEn offer an opportunity for preschool children, school-aged children; young adults and families to enjoy benefits of summer reading programs which include:

Skill maintenance and improvement: reading over the summer helps kids maintain skills they've learned over the academic year and grow towards the skills required for the next school year
Test score improvement: children who participate in summer reading programs show an increase in vocabulary scores on standardized testing and an increase in comprehension scores
The fun of reading for pleasure: participants explore current interests and discover new subjects by choosing what they want to read
Recognition: participants set goals and track their progress on-line to earn a certificate of completion (many earn prizes/passes to attractions across the state)
Cost savings: participation in the program is free of charge

Libraries across the Commonwealth are participating in Go Green at Your Library and tnk grEn. Each library offers programs that meet the needs of their own community and many work closely with schools to create a strong reading support network.

To sign up for summer reading visit www.ReadsinMA.org. or contact your local library. To find your local library visit www.mass.gov/libraries.

About MBLC

The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.

Back to News Releases