The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can
be read on the agency's Web site at
http://www.imls.gov/news/2008/052808.shtm.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2008

IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask] 

Museum and Library Programs Can Slow Summer Learning Loss in Young
People

For many children, summer holds the promise of swimming pools and summer
camps. But parents know that it's also a time when children can lose
valuable educational gains made during the school year -- an average
student who doesn't read or engage in other learning opportunities can
lose as much as 2.5 months of learning over the summer! The nation's
libraries and museums stand ready to help children and youth enjoy
exciting summer time activities and retain their educational gains.

"We encourage families to participate in the low- and no-cost museum and
library programs that are available in virtually every state," said
Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS). "The programs are so much fun. In addition to
outstanding reading programs, museums and libraries offer arts and craft
making, games, family nights, contests, and prizes. There are also
visits by authors, story tellers, scientists, and educational
entertainers."

Libraries have been as busy as bees: Catch the Reading Bug is the theme
for this year's National Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)
reading program. For teens, the theme is Metamorphosis. The program's 46
state members provide high-quality, low-cost summer reading program
materials for children. IMLS funds many of the programs through the
Library Services and Technology Act.

"Summer is a great time of year for children to choose books and
discover the true joys of reading," Radice said. "Many libraries have
adult reading programs and intergenerational programs, so the whole
family can participate."

Many states customize their summer reading themes. For example, the
Colorado State Library is partnering with the non-profit Butterfly
Pavilion on an activity page that may be used as an admission "ticket"
to the Butterfly Pavilion in August and September. Other states have
followed suit:

* New York has translated Six Easy Ways to Get Your Kids to Read this
Summer into Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, Arabic,
Bengali, and Russian.
* In Wisconsin, Pam Carlson created a Summer Reading Game called "Who
Will Be the Next Etymologist," in which young library patrons complete a
series of educational bug-related tasks.
* The Virginia state library posted the public service cartoon promoting
summer reading in English and Spanish on Youtube.com at
http://www.youtube.com/user/LibraryofVa. 

Museums are also swinging into action. Many children's museums, science
centers, zoos and aquariums participate in reciprocity programs so your
membership at one gets you free admission or other perks at others. IMLS
supports many summer museum programs, including:

* The Adventure Science Center in Nashville, TN, which will host free
science camps for at-risk third through sixth grade students from June
23-July 18. (Museums for America grant)
* The Summer Safari day camp at the Atlanta Fulton County Zoo, in
Atlanta, GA. Volunteens, ages 13-17, will help out at this camp, for
children ages 4-13. (Museums for America grant)
* Summer archaeology and field ecology programs, hosted by The
Mashantucket Pequot Tribe of Connecticut in Mashantucket, CT, for Pequot
children and their non-Native peers. (Native American/Native Hawaiian
Museum Services grant)
* "Mini-camps," co-sponsored by the Staten Island Children's Museum in
Staten Island, NY, that are expressly for children with anxiety and
attention disorders. At these camps, they can paint, sculpt, garden, and
cook with other children. (Museums for America grant)

"By taking their kids to libraries and museums, parents can minimize the
effects of summer vacation on learning," Radice said. "Libraries and
museums are also a great place to meet new friends and build social
networks in person and online. It's fun for everyone."

More resources:

1. To learn more about the National Collaborative Summer Library
Program, please visit: http://www.cslpreads.org. 
2. For more information on summer learning loss, please visit the Johns
Hopkins University Center for Summer Learning Web site at
http://www.summerlearning.org 
3. For more information on family literacy, please visit the National
Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) Web site at http://www.famlit.org.
Many of the materials are in English and Spanish.

Summer Learning Tips:

To minimize children's summer learning loss, IMLS offers tips for
parents:

1. Visit your local library and sign up your kids for the summer reading
program.
2. Read to and with your kids. Be an example to your kids by doing some
reading yourself.
3. Use the library to explore your child's interests. Ask the librarian
how to find books, Web sites and other resources to nurture your child's
curiousity.
4. Plan low-cost, educational field trips to local parks, zoos, and
museums.
5. Check out free programs and day camps at your local library or
museum.


About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that
connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the
national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and
innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about
the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov. 

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