This summer, families across the city have had to dig deep. There’s been a lot of making do, looking on the bright side and celebrating the small victories. On a recent summer afternoon, being able to pick any book they wanted from a brightly-colored display at Warrington Rec Center in Knoxville was “The best thing that’s happened all week,” said one mom as she examined the choices with her two children.
Thanks to the generous support of EQT, Chase, John E. & Sue M. Jackson Charitable Trust, Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, UPMC Health Plan, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, 90.5 WESA and Maher Duessel, picking any book they wanted was a happy surprise for hundreds of children across the city when they visited their local community center during July. From board books for babies to graphic novels and young adult Newbery Award winners, there was a book for every child and teen. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh distributed books to thirteen sites across the city, including CitiParks, Family Resources centers and the Homewood Brushton YWCA. The Library hopes to distribute 6,000 books by the end of the summer.
At CitiParks’ Magee Recreation Center in Greenfield, families were surprised by a visit from not only the Library but also the Pittsburgh Pirates. Children enjoyed Storytime in the grass, singing and dancing along to “The Wheels on the Bus” with the Pirates’ Parrot.
Like many summertime pursuits, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading program was adapted to keep our community safe. Although it looked different, the goal of Summer Reading is still the same — to encourage reading during the out of school months. Research shows that Summer Reading helps children and teens develop life-long reading habits, retain skills learned during the previous year and return to school ready to learn. Having access to books that spark their curiosity, validate their experiences, inform and inspire is essential to helping children grow into successful learners. Taking home a good book can feel like a very big deal to families who have had to take this unusual summer one day at a time and are preparing for an even more unusual school year.
We are grateful to our community partners and contributors who are helping Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh engage every child in literacy and learning.
Thank you to our Summer Reading Sponsors:
John E. & Sue M. Jackson Charitable Trust, Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, UPMC Health Plan, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, 90.5 WESA and Maher Duessel