Welcome to Summer Reading 2021! Everything is different yet still the same! 
Some of our libraries will be returning to our old in-person ways, other libraries will be trying out a "new normal," and other libraries will be preparing for a second virtual year. And that is OK. We've all got one "I've never had to do it that way" Summer Reading experience under our belts. So, BRING IT ON 2021!!! WE'VE GOT THIS!
Hungry kids don’t read. They can’t concentrate; their physical, social, and emotional well-being suffers; and they don’t participate successfully in library activities. Every summer, 22 million US children who receive free or reduced-price school meals, including 13.7 million who live in food-insecure households, lose access to the daily breakfast and lunch served in school. During the summer, many students also lack the other benefits of school, including engagement, learning, adults present, a temperature-controlled environment – things libraries can provide. Check out the USDA Summer Food Service Program at https://www.cslpreads.org/libraries-and-summer-food/#overview
Do you have a passion for reading or libraries? Do you want to share your video or performative skills with teens across the country? The Teen Video Challenge is for you!
Five winners will be chosen and will receive: a $200 cash prize, and $50 worth of summer reading materials for their library!
The Teen Video Challenge is an annual video contest and is open to all teens (librarian and teacher support is encouraged). The challenge is for teens to create a public services announcement-type video that shows their unique interpretation of the 2021 CSLP slogan “Tails and Tales”. Videos are to be no longer than 60 seconds and should promote libraries and reading.
Videos will be accepted June 1 through August 6, 2021.
Find the official contest rules and submission form at https://www.cslpreads.org/programs/2015-teen-program/2021-teen-video-challenge/
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
