For two weeks in June, Dallas ISD students who participated in the Summer Cool camp had the chance to take home books for their home libraries at no cost. In a partnership between Library & Media Services and the Extended Learning Opportunities department, 20,000 books were distributed to students at 20 elementary campus sites.
Students from Pre-K through second grade could take up to five books home while students in grades three through five were allowed to take home up to three books. Most of the books were purchased using Title I funding, using various district-approved book vendors including Express Books, Scholastic, and Mackin. At Marcus Leadership Academy and several other sites, books in Spanish were also available for different grade levels.
Director of Library & Media Services Patricia Alvarado-Barnes said the Summer Cool library pop-ups are important because they provide books to students during the summer to support continuous learning, enhance reading skills, foster a love for reading, and build a home library.
“Not all students have access to books outside of school, and having a collection of books at home allows students to continue reading throughout the year. A home library creates an environment that encourages reading and lifelong learning, providing children with a valuable resource for personal and academic growth,” Alvarado-Barnes said.
Summer break often leads to a loss of academic progress known as the “summer slide.” Access to books helps mitigate this slide by keeping students engaged in reading and learning. It ensures that they continue to develop their language skills, vocabulary, and comprehension.
“Allowing students to choose their own books from a selection of high-quality, popular, engaging titles empowers them to take ownership of their reading journey, Alvarado-Barnes said. “When students have agency in their book selection, they are more likely to engage deeply with the material and develop a sense of personal connection with the stories they read.”
