It is that time of year again! School is out for most students in the Miami Valley and the Dayton Metro Library is back with their Summer Challenge. This year’s program, which runs from June 1 to July 31, has been named “Oceans of Possibilities” and allows participants to go beyond reading to earn points. Children all the way from birth age to high school seniors can listen to audiobooks, attend programs, volunteer with local organizations, and even help around the house!
The Clarion spoke to Jaclyn Fulwood, Youth Experience Manager at the Dayton Metro Library, about the past, present and future of the Summer Challenge.
Fulwood stated that the library has summer reading records dating back to the mid-1960s. The program was created to not only give kids something to do during the summer months, but also to keep people in the community interested in the library. Because of the lack of awareness of the “summer melt,” as Fulwood referred to it, the challenge was geared towards children in elementary school. She also mentioned an “education gap,” explaining that children in lower-income families are more heavily impacted by being out of school. Now that more is known, though, the library has expanded the age groups, prizes and overall scope of the challenge. Fulwood said that the focus of the program is “retention” for students. The organization wants to see children gain and maintain – rather than lose – skills and knowledge while they are out of the classroom.
With COVID-19 temporarily closing the Dayton Metro Library branches, continuing the Summer Challenge was a big task for Fulwood and her team. She spoke of the initial conversation around facilitating the program during a pandemic, stating that it was imperative because students who have a hobby of reading “do not get the same recognition” as their peers who, for example, play sports. Fulwood emphasized that making the Summer Challenge happen in 2020 was a “lot of work.” Ultimately, though, DML staff were able to put together many fun virtual activities for students and their families to enjoy, even creating a Facebook group dedicated to the Summer Challenge.
When asked if the Summer Challenge impacts library visits, item checkouts, and other numbers, Fulwood replied that increases are sometimes seen, but not always. She also said that the DML has “no expectation” for students to only consume library materials or only attend library events. This challenge, aside from going to a branch to pick up prizes, can be done completely remotely. It is also free and, according to Fulwood, “customizable” for every child.
While the DML does not currently offer any summer reading programs for non-school age community members, the tracking software does allow adults to earn badges and certificates. In fact, Fulwood and the DML encourage parents to sign up for (and partake in) the challenge with their children to motivate them.
Among the program’s prize offerings is a drawing for a 2,529-dollar College Savings Award presented by Ohio’s 529 College Advantage Plan.
To get more information about the Summer Challenge and how to participate, go to www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/summer or visit one of the 17 branches across the Dayton area.