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DU Announces Participants in Library Summer Reading Study

Dominican University’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) announces the study participants in the second phase of a three-year research project studying the impact that summer reading programs have on disadvantaged third and fourth grade students. Dominican University is partnering with The Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University on this landmark Institute of Museum and Library Sciences-funded project.

Participants include:

Pueblo City Schools and Pueblo City County Library District - Colorado
Burr Ridge Community Consolidated School District 180, Anne Jeans Elementary and Indian Prairie Public Library District - Illinois
Jessamine County Schools, Nicholasville Elementary and Jessamine County Public Library - Kentucky
Mary McLeod Bethune School and Minneapolis Public Library - Minnesota
Scott County School District, Morton Elementary School, Central Mississippi Regional Library System and Morton Public Library - Mississippi
Columbus City Schools, Arlington Park Elementary School and Columbus Metropolitan Library, Shepard Branch - Ohio
Columbus City Schools, Salem Elementary School and Columbus Metropolitan Library, Karl Road Branch - Ohio
Lakewood City Schools and Lakewood Public Library - Ohio
David Douglas School District, Cherry Park Elementary School and Multnomah County Library - Oregon
Fredericksburg City Public Schools and Central Rappahannock Regional Library – Virginia

This project, titled “Do Public Library Summer Reading Programs Impact Student Achievement,” is studying whether summer reading programs offered through public libraries and elementary school partnerships affect children’s attitudes about reading and whether these programs help students retain, and possibly expand, their literacy skills over the summer.

“Because over 95 percent of public libraries in the United States offer summer reading programs in their communities, this research promises to be a major contribution to both the education and library science fields,” said Susan Roman, dean of the Dominican University GSLIS and principal investigator for the study.

Now that the recruitment phase of the project is completed, the participating sites will work with researchers at the Center for Summer Learning (CSL) at Johns Hopkins University. According to CSL Executive Director Ron Fairchild, “This study presents a unique opportunity. Nearly every child has access to a library summer reading program and this research will document the impact public library reading programs have on children’s literacy skills.”

“As a practicing children’s librarian, I have seen children in a summer reading program experience the joy of reading,” said Carole Fiore, the project manager for the evaluation. “ Now what we learn from this evaluation will be applied to public policy.”

The research is funded by the IMLS, a primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute empowers libraries and museums nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain our cultural heritage, build 21 ^st century skills, and increase civic participation.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting project manager Carole Fiore at cfiore@dom.edu.

Accredited by the ALA, Dominican University’s GSLIS has been educating future library leaders and information professionals since the 1930s. The school offers master’s degrees in library and information science and in knowledge management.

The Center for Summer Learning’s mission is committed to expanding summer learning opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth as a strategy for closing the achievement gap.