Senator Farley Encourages Summer Reading

Senator Hugh T. Farley

June 16, 2016

As Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Libraries, State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) wants students to have fun reading and to keep learning this summer at their public library. The New York State Senate is partnering with the New York State Library and the 1,100 libraries and neighborhood branches to get more kids reading this summer. Children can have a summer of reading fun by participating in the Senate’s 2016 Summer Reading Program and the State Library’s 2016  Summer Reading at New York Libraries.

More than 1.99 million children and teens statewide participated in last year’s summer reading program. Participants receive reading lists and engage in educational activities at their local libraries. At the end of the program, participants receive formal recognition for their reading achievement.

“I am pleased to join the Education Department, the State Library and local libraries throughout the State in promoting the Summer Reading Program,” said Senator Farley. “This is a wonderful initiative which can be fun and entertaining for children, helping them to develop a love of reading.  At the same time, it helps them to retain and improve their reading skills during the summer months.  I encourage families to participate in this program and to discover all the wonderful programs and resources at their libraries."

Evidence shows that children who stop reading over the summer break often fall behind when they return to school in September. Senator Farley urges youngsters and parents to take advantage of the summer reading programs at their local public library. With resources and tools made available by the New York State Library, local public libraries bring exciting summer reading programs and activities to their communities. Children who participate benefit from the support, structure, and educational incentives that public library summer reading programs provide. .

Contact your local public library to register and participate in the fun and educational activities available this summer as part of Summer Reading at New York Libraries.

To find your local library, visit http://www.summerreadingnys.org. Watch for materials about the 2016 Senate Summer Reading Program in schools and public libraries. Any child can participate in both programs and use the resources, programs, and books provided by the public library.

Children, teens, parents, and caregivers can log on to http://www.summerreadingnys.org for Summer Reading at New York Libraries activities, games, links, information, and ideas to keep children reading all summer. For an overview of Summer Reading at New York Libraries and additional information for educators, parents, and caregivers go to http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/summer.

Senator Farley also has a reading program. For more information, visit http://nyread.com/