NEWS RELEASE

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) are again teaming up with the Boston Bruins for the annual “When You Read, You Score!” summer library program. The program encourages children and teens to read over the summer months in order to retain academic progress gained over the previous schoolyear and avoid the "summer slide".

Over 2.5 million children, teens, and adults have participated in summer reading as part of the “When You Read, You Score!” program. The collaboration has grown to include the state of New Hampshire where it has been equally successful.

“We are thrilled that this partnership with the Bruins continues to positively impact children, teens, and adults across the Commonwealth” said MBLC director James Lonergan. “We hope the success the Bruins had on the ice this year translates to libraries.”

To jumpstart summer fun at the library, the Boston Bruins will hold a Summer Reading Kickoff at the Waltham Public Library. Throughout June, July, and August, Boston Bruins mascot Blades will be making special story time visits to libraries in Agawam, Attleboro, Boston’s West End Branch, Chelsea, Clinton, Hampden, Lee, Lowell, Methuen, Northborough,  Royalston, and West Tisbury.

Summer reading is one of the best ways to help children and teens maintain the skills they've learned over the academic year. It also helps them grow the skills required for their next year in school. Studies have shown that children who read just four books over the summer fare better in the fall on reading comprehension tests than their peers who read one or no books. The MBLC is encouraging children, teens and adults to read four books through their #WhatsYourFour? campaign. To find and sign up for a summer reading program in your town and to learn more about the #WhatsYourFour? campaign, go to READSinMA.org, or visit your local library.

In addition to visits, the Bruins have also helped create a READ poster featuring defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Bruins players, including Patrice Bergeron, Tuukka Rask, and Zdeno Chara have helped libraries develop "Favorite Books of the Boston Bruins", a recommended reads list that also includes librarian picks for the best hockey books. The complete booklist is available here.

Massachusetts has offered statewide online summer reading programs since 2007. Participants register, write book reviews, set goals, and track their progress online. Massachusetts was the first state in the country to offer such a program. On average, 350 libraries offer statewide summer reading each year, and in 2017, a new record of 462,749 children, teens, and adults participated. The Boston Bruins active partners and advocates for reading and literacy since 2009 and collaborate with the MBLC and the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) to develop reading and literacy programming.

The Summer Reading Program is made free to all public libraries and residents in the Commonwealth thanks to support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Boston Bruins.