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About The California Summer Reading Program
The California State Library (CSL) is very happy to announce a new partnership with the California Library Association (CLA). CSL has joined the Collaborative Summer Library Program as a state member; and CLA will facilitate this summer reading program opportunity for 2006, 2007 and 2008 for all interested public libraries.
The National Collaborative Summer Library Program is a grassroots consortium of 43 state agencies and associations working together providing high-quality summer reading program materials for children and teens at the lowest cost possible for libraries. Some libraries in California have participated in this program previously; and it has been quite successful and cost effective.
CSLP hires a writer to develop a program manual each year. Personnel from libraries in member states are encouraged to contribute ideas and materials to this creative process. By combining resources and working with a commercial vendor (currently Upstart) to produce the manual, working with well-known artists to develop art, and suggesting incentives to support the program theme designed exclusively for CSLP members, libraries in participating states can purchase posters, reading logs, bookmarks, certificates, and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings.
For the summer of 2007, CSL has funded a membership fee for every public library and has purchased a program manual for every public library system and all rural libraries in California. Library staff can review the manual and determine if your library would like to participate. If so, the cost of any material relating to the summer reading program will be a local responsibility. Participation in this program is not required for any public library; you may chose to use these materials, or continue to develop your own program.
This collaborative works in a very democratic manner; and California, as a state member, has an official voting member of the cooperative. Currently, that member is CLA Immediate Past President Danis Kreimeier. Hopefully, future representatives will be identified through the CLA Children's Services Section.
Stephanie Stokes has been working with this program for several years and she will continue her role as the Summer Reading Program Coordinator. A steering committee, composed of Children's librarians, will serve as advisers to Stephanie on this program.
If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie at 818-980-7476, or contact Sue Negreen at CLA, 916-447-8541.
About the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)
The Collaborative Summer Library Program is a grassroots consortium of 43 state agencies and associations working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public, private and school libraries.
CSLP began in 1987 when children's librarians from 10 Minnesota regional library systems joined forces to develop a summer library program for children. They worked together to choose a theme, create artwork, and select reading incentives that public, private and school libraries in all ten regions could purchase and use.
The success of this cooperative effort continues as more states become members. CSLP has continued to grow and evolve, but its guiding principle remains the same – librarians sharing ideas, expertise, and costs to produce a high-quality summer reading program for children. The Group now numbers 43 States.
Who chooses the theme for summer programs?
Representatives from each of the 43 member states meet every April to choose future themes, develop ideas for the manual, suggest potential artists, determine incentives, and conduct other business. The vendor producing the art and incentives attends the meeting to join the discussion.
When did California become a member?
In 2001, Napa City-County Library joined CSLP, becoming the first California library to use the program. Ann Davis, Head of Children's Services, had used the program in another state.
In September 2003, library advocate Stephanie Stokes, working with Ann Davis, began the process of taking the program statewide. The California Summer Reading Program Collaborative was founded and the Web Site was launched.
In Summer 2004, memberships and SRP manuals for over 300 California public and school libraries, Web Site, PSA and administrative costs were underwritten and managed by Stephanie Stokes.
In November 2004, at the CLA Annual Conference in San Jose, the 2004 Web Site and "Discover New Trails @ Your Library" Program won two CLA 's PRexcellence Awards. The California Collaborative launched the 2005 "Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds @ Your Library" summer reading program at a CLA Conference Session which featured Penny Peck, Pam Carlson, Stephanie Stokes, Ann Davis and Swazzle Puppets. In January 2005 a half-day regional workshop was hosted and planned by the Serra Children's Committee and YA Committee. Over 200 plus librarians from two counties attended the standing room only event!
In Summer 2005, numerous Tribal, Public and Private School libraries, Air Force and Marine Corp Libraries, participated in "Dragon's Dreams & Daring Deeds." Many of these libraries paid the $2.00 per building fee. Annual membership dues and SRP Manuals for the rest of those California public and school libraries who wanted to participate, Web Site, PSA and administrative costs were underwritten and coordinated by Stephanie Stokes.
In August, 2005, The California State Library awards a LSTA Grant to the California Library Association to administer the grant and the Summer Reading Program. 1,152 public libraries were sent 2006 Programming Manuals with accompany CDs to introduce the 2006 theme at no cost to every public library and it's branches. Libraries will be responsible for ordering their own promotional materials and incentives.
The program was again be funded for the summers of 2007 and 2008.
The creation and development of the annual themes and administration of the program nation-wide are made through a weighted voting system based the number of paid members by state. Each member Agency pays an annual $65.00 membership fee. The fee for California for 2007 has been paid by the California State Library, as have the $2.00 per building fee and the cost of manuals and accompanying CDs for California's public libraries.
What themes has CSLP used in the past? Future?
2009 "Get Creative @ your library," for teens "Express Yourself @ your library."
2008 "Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library," for teens "Metamorphosis @ your library."
2007 "Get a Clue @ your library" for teens "YNK: You Never Know @ Your Library"
2006 "Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales" for teens "Creature Features"
2005 "Dragon, Dreams & Daring Deeds @ your library" (Steven Kellogg, artist) for teens "Joust Read"
2004 "Discover New Trails @ your library" (Mark Bruehner, artist) for teens "Get Lost @ your library"
2003 "Laugh it up @ your library: Read!"
2002 "Join the Winners' Circle: Read!"
2001 "Reading Road Trip USA" (Kevin Hawkes, artist)
2000 "Cosmic Connections" (Mark Bruehner, artist)
1999 "Treasure Your Library"
1998 "Rock 'N Read"
1997 "Thrills & Chills at the Library"
1996 "Get in the Game — at Your Library"
California Summer Reading Program
The California Summer Reading Program is a project of the California Library Association supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) is the sponsoring organization for the 2007 Summer Library Program. Artwork is for use by CSLP members only. Copyright 2006-2007 by Highsmith Inc. All rights reserved. No images may be reproduced without written permission.