Dallas ISD libraries checked out 40 percent more books over the summer than the previous year.
During summer school, students, staff, and community members checked out more than 32,000 books from 32 Dallas ISD libraries. Meanwhile, the number of eBooks checked out by students and staff rose from 64 in summer 2014 to 1026 in summer 2015.
“Each year the libraries and departments under the umbrella of the Language and Literacy Department continue to do their part by promoting summer literacy by keeping libraries open to service students and families,” said Gay Patrick, director of Library Media Services. “It’s critical that our kids keep reading even when school is not in session.”
Dallas ISD also partnered with the Dallas Public Library Mayor’s Summer Reading Club to encourage reading over the summer. Through the club, 3,282 Dallas ISD students read a total of 43,597 hours.
Dallas ISD offered every summer school student the option of taking home at least two paperback books of their choice for further summer reading. Funds for the books were provided through the Library Media Services and Reading and Language Arts departments.
Patrick said studies show that students can lose up to a full month of instructional growth by not actively reading over the summer.
“We want to focus on keeping the summer reading slide to a minimum,” Patrick said. “Many kids don’t have books at home or aren’t reading over the summer, so we want to ensure we are providing reading and enrichment opportunities for kids.”
