Summer and Libraries: Closing the Learning Gap

Beyond entertainment, summer programs for kids make a lifelong differenceKids who don’t use their school skills in summer lose ground by the time they head back to the classroom. Children from low-income families may never overcome the impact of this "summer learning slide." Bridging the economic gap with free activities for all children has been the driving force behind library summer programs for more than half a century. Reading was the key focus. Reading books kept young minds active, brought new adventures, tweaked the imagination, and inspired many a child’s lifetime interests.