The South Carolina State Library has long supported summer reading programs as a way to promote the joy of reading for fun, connect communities, assist with summer learning loss and to encourage lifelong library users. Research has shown that summer learning loss is more pronounced in children from families and communities that have a lower socioeconomic status—and access to books is lacking in those same communities. Public library summer reading programs help level the playing field.
"The State Library has invested heavily in high quality education summer reading programs. Public school support of these programs will ultimately help students of all ages from across the state improve their literacy skills. The research is clear that students who participate in these programs enter school in the fall better prepared," says Debbie Hyler. Hyler is the Chair of the South Carolina State Library Board and Executive Director of The School Foundation in Florence, SC.
We've got some great old photos of summer reading programs in SC. Check out this one from 1955 with Smokey the Bear! You can find more at http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/search/collection/scslchldrn.
