Oppenheimer Announces Summer Reading Partnership between NYS Senate and State Public Libraries and Urges Students to Keep Reading

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) is pleased to announce a partnership between the New York State Senate and the New York State Library in support of summer reading for children and families across New York State. The Senate’s 2012 Summer Reading Program and the New York State Library’s 2012 Summer Reading at New York Libraries will establish a strong initiative that encourages students to reinforce the knowledge they gain during the school year.

“As students throughout the state enjoy their school vacations, I strongly encourage them to take advantage of their public libraries this summer,” said Senator Oppenheimer. “Research shows active summer reading is the best way to avoid the learning losses that are typical of summer break.”

Students have the opportunity to access the vast resources of New York’s public libraries to support their summer reading challenge and to gain recognition for what they achieve. Library staff will be available to help children select reading material and provide literacy-enhancing programs, such as storytelling, music, puppet shows and interactive science presentations. Children and teens can also use the library to safely access the Internet and socialize with their peers.

According to New York State Library officials, more than 1.65 million children statewide participated in last year’s free summer reading program. The increased emphasis on the benefits of summer reading by the New York State Library, Assembly and Senate will surely result in increased attention and participation this year. The program website for parents and kids can be accessed at www.summerreadingnys.org. For an overview of Summer Reading at New York Libraries go to www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer.resource.htm.

Senator Oppenheimer is a longtime friend and patron of New York public libraries. For her dedication and  advocacy on behalf of libraries, the Senator was recently honored with the National Library Week Recognition Award by the Westchester Library System and was recognized by the Metropolitan New York Library Council for her outstanding efforts to increase state aid for local libraries. Senator Oppenheimer consistently receives an “A” rating by the New Yorkers for Better Libraries for her record on library issues.