SLP- Speaking About the Unspeakable

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

If you are in children's work, annual summer library programs are as inevitable - and never-ending - as sunrises and sunsets. 

June and July, and sometimes August, are often "no vacation" months in our work year. We partner with our schools and community to create valued out-of-school learning, literacy and adventure experiences for kids and families. Our workload goes up astronomically as we interact with lots more people.

This time can add alot of stress if our library's emphasis is on "more, more, MORE": more programs; more kids signed up for reading incentive programs; more prizes; more content; more and higher numbers; more run, run, run. You might have experienced a real feeling of dislike or even hate for summer reading.

So it was with real interest that we read a blog post from Jen at the Adventures in Storytime (and Beyond) blog entitled True Confessions. Jen writes: "So, I have something to confess that might be shocking to some, though I am sure there are those who are secretly in agreement with me. Now hold on to your cardigans folks, but the truth is.... I hate summer reading! 

I know that must seem downright blasphemous coming from a children's librarian who is dedicated to promoting literacy and lifelong reading, but it's true. Ok, maybe not 100% true. I do love seeing all the kids and families in the library more often during the summer, catching up with former storytime regulars who are now in elementary school, talking books with teens, and doing fun programs, and I am very passionate about promoting reading and lifelong learning. However, that mission seems to have gotten lost in the stressful circus that summer reading programs have become, and that is what I truly hate." 

To read her thoughtful post and practical suggestions on how to find the love - and balance - in summer reading again, please stop here.