Books to Go!

Every once in a while, we get to focus on a positive that came out of the pandemic and its associated response.

 

One of the babies thrown out with the bath water was summer reading. It left in spring 2020 and would not return for three years.

The CRL felt a visceral reaction to this decision; we knew that this was not the time to let reading go. 

We also knew that, if we wanted kids to read, we needed to make ourselves (and our books) available. We decided to promote reading and put books in kids' hands by offering the school lending library during the summer. We set up a table in the lobby and scheduled specific days and times to invite families in.

The idea that was born out of necessity has since become an established practice. We call it Books to Go. It is one of the most well-received programs in our building, it has numerous benefits, and it is one of the simplest, cheapest things we do. 

This is how we launch Books to Go:

• Confer with admin for permission, scheduling, and payment.
• Set up a table or two in the lobby and display books to lend.
• Print sign-out sheets.
• Decorate with posters and cute summer props.
• Promote it (we use signs, Regroup messages, Principal newsletters, and social media.)

Books to Go accomplishes several things: it makes summer reading books accessible to all students, it brings families and students into the building in a comfortable, manageable way, and it promotes summer reading. I love visiting with established families as well as the chance to get to know some of the incoming sixth graders.

The success is in its sustainability - this is an easy set up, and - if scheduled correctly - it takes advantage of a time when the school is already open to the public. We choose the day and time carefully, being mindful of building coverage as well as dismissal times for town summer offerings.

Do you have a similar program? Let us know in the comments!