In the summer of 1976, Vermont’s Department of Libraries began a yearly initiative to encourage children to read through their summer break. Fletcher Free Library joined the program shortly thereafter. While students look forward to a school-free vacation, maintaining what they have learned during the year is an important challenge. The benefits to children in participating in a summer learning program has a documented cumulative effect on academic performance.
In an effort to slow the “summer slide,” the Fletcher Free Library’s Summer Reading Program, now known as the Summer Challenge, has enticed, enabled and engaged kids of all ages. Well over a thousand children in Burlington participate each summer, many of whom still wear the T-shirts sporting past themes such as “Every Hero Has A Story,” “Dream Big--Read!” and “Fizz! Boom! Read!” The themes change yearly and are designed by well-known artists, including Harry Bliss, Brian Pinkney, Jarrett Krosoczka and our own youth assistant, Christine Demarais. This retrospective of the last 30 years of Summer Reading Program posters, T-shirts, and other items will be displayed in the Fletcher Room throughout this year’s “Libraries Rock!” Summer Challenge.
Exhibit runs June 1 - August 31.
The public is welcome to view Art Exhibits except when the room is in use. If the door is shut, please ask at the Main Desk if the room is available. Thank you!