Summer Reading: A Look Back

Vacation Reading Club participants, 1938

Since the early 1920s, the Library System's Summer Reading program has inspired and supported early literacy in our community. Early participants often enjoyed the honor of having their names listed in the local paper upon completion of reading challenges.

In the present, thousands of children and teens sign up to participate in Summer Reading at the Greenville County Library System. With reading challenges for babies, kids, and teens, Summer Reading encourages participants to continue their reading all year long (even outside of the school classroom) with the chance to earn great prizes including a reading medal.

Summer Reading Kickoff events are attended by as many as 700 people each year and usher in summers filled with live entertainment, art, and science experiments at the Library. Dozens of visits from musicians, magicians, scientists, and other performers are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Greenville County Library System.

The Greenville News, Sunday, September 11, 1927

Prevent Summer Slide

Summer Reading participants receive reading medals, 2019.

Summer Reading is a great way for parents to prepare children for a successful school year.

Summer learning loss, also known as “summer slide,” can cause a child’s reading achievement and language skills to decline by up to two months. Studies have shown that children need to be actively engaged in learning during the summer when school isn’t in session. Giving children access to and letting them choose books they’re interested in can help prevent or reverse “summer slide.”

Children often model their caregivers’ behavior. Seeing adults read is inspiration for children to do the same. Reading together is fun, too. Families can choose a book and make a nightly event of reading and talking about the book together.

Be sure to sign your children up for Summer Reading this year! For more information, visit greenvillelibrary.org/summer-reading.