The New York Public Library Kicks Off Its Annual Summer Reading Challenge

JUNE 6, 2018 – The New York Public Library's annual Summer Reading Challenge launches June 7, 2018, with a simple goal: to encourage children and their parents to spend 20 minutes reading every day during the season. This year's theme, Turn It Up!, is inspired by the rhythm of reading and all things music, and the Library is supporting young readers taking up the challenge with a special workbook and other resources at the Summer Reading 2018 website.

The Library will officially kick off the annual challenge at the Stapleton Library – located at 132 Canal Street on Staten Island – on June 7 at 10 AM. The event will feature appearances by children's author and illustrator Eric Velasquez, Cookie Monster, NYPL President Tony Marx, and music from The Mighty String Demons, a group of young Staten Island violinists between the ages of 7 and 18.

Available for free at all NYPL branches and downloadable at NYPL's Summer Reading Challenge online hub, the robust workbook includes a game board, activity ideas, featured library programs, parent tips and lists of recommended books selected by NYPL librarians for various age groups – all designed to combat the “summer slide,” a loss of skills over the summer that can make learning difficult during the school year. Instructions for the Summer Reading Challenge 2018 are provided in ten languages on the website, as well as a list of events happening throughout the summer at branches in the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island.

We designed this year's Summer Reading Challenge workbook to be a powerful tool to help young New Yorkers combat summer slide and sharpen critical skills outside of school, all while having fun and showing their creative side," said NYPL President Tony Marx. "The initiative also reminds everyone that The New York Public Library offers a welcoming space for all lifelong learners, and is a haven of knowledge during the summer months and all year long.

Part of a national public library initiative, the Summer Reading Challenge encourages youth and families to take part in three stages of learning:

• Engage by visiting their local branch to check out books and more.

• Explore by reading for 20 minutes a day, and by learning and creating at any of the many programs offered at neighborhood libraries.

• Empower themselves, their families, and their communities by sharing their newfound knowledge, courtesy of their summer reading. Participants can write book reviews or recommendations, participate in book clubs, or share artwork, writing, music, digital media, and more at the Library.

Included in the Challenge is an essay contest, with winners earning the chance to participate in a pre-game on-field ceremony at Yankee Stadium. The contest is open through July 31 and children and teens can enter at the Library’s Summer Reading Challenge site at nypl.org/summerreading.

“Every single child deserves a chance to continue their education during the summer.” said Kelly W. Fisher, head of corporate sustainability for HSBC Bank USA “HSBC has supported the Summer Reading Challenge for years because we believe that the New York Public Library is bringing a passion for reading to the children of each borough of our city.”

Early literacy has long been a priority of the Library, and a recent project created through the Library’s Innovation Project shines on a light on the power of music and reading. NYPL Sings!, featuring over 50 staff members, is an original children’s album which focuses on singing as a wonderful way for parents, caregivers, and librarians to bond with children and help them become self-confident, curious, and intrepid learners with a lifelong love of reading.

The New York Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is generously funded by HSBC Bank USA; New York Yankees Foundation; The Rona Jaffe Foundation; HBO®; Pine Tree Foundation of New York, Inc.; May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc.; anonymous donors; and the continuing major support of the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences. © 2018 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved.

Media Contact:

Sara Beth Joren | sarabethjoren@nypl.org

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. To offer this wide array of free programming, The New York Public Library relies on both public and private funding. Learn more about how to support the Library at nypl.org/support.