Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading Program Serves Record Number of Students

More than 143,000 ‘Get in the Game’ This Summer

Brooklyn, NY—A record 143,000 students participated in Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading program this year, the Library announced today.

A partnership with the New York City Department of Education, the Library’s Summer Reading program aims to prevent “summer slide” by reminding students to visit the library and continue reading while school is out of session. This year’s theme, Get in the Game, encouraged young people to approach reading with the same enthusiasm they would a favorite game.

“Young people who enroll in summer literacy programs are more likely to return to school reading as proficiently as they did in the spring—or even to have improved their reading and comprehension skills,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “We encourage the 143,000 Brooklynites who got in the game with us this summer to stay in the game, and keep reading, throughout the school year.”

Branches throughout Brooklyn hosted game-themed activities throughout the summer. Spring Creek Library in East New York tallied the most Summer Reading sign-ups (11,670), followed by Central Library (10,975), Sheepshead Bay (8,760), McKinley Park (8,720) and Rugby (4,954). More than 12,000 Brooklynites completed the Summer Challenge, a suite of fun activities designed to encourage literacy and exploration. Eligible activities included learning a new joke or riddle, posting a book review on summerreading.org or attending a library program.

The Library partnered with Luna Park in Coney Island, New York City’s largest amusement park, to provide an extra incentive for participation in the program. Readers who brought finished game boards or challenges to the park were eligible for free, unlimited rides for a period of up to four hours. The park provided more than 12,000 wrist bands for summer readers.

"We couldn't be more proud of our successful partnership with Brooklyn Public Library," said Angie Morris, brand manager at Luna Park. "The partnership challenged thousands of kids to complete a game board and experience the thrills at Luna Park!"

Brooklyn families were able to track their summer reading through BPL’s partnership with Beanstack, a service that helps families with young students log their reading and discover great books and branch programs. Support for Brooklyn Public Library’s Summer Reading 2016 program was provided by the National Grid Foundation, Astoria Bank, Con Edison, Macy’s and media partner WCBS-TV & WLNY-TV NEW YORK. Additional support was provided by Luna Park in Coney Island and The New York Community Trust – ELSAM Fund.

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About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.