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Our winter weather is getting me down, so I'd like to think ahead to summer warmth and sun by planning our summer reading program. What resources does ALA have to help me?

Although ALA does not set themes for summer reading programs we have a wide range of resources for you to tap into. Summer reading programs have proven successful in attracting children to libraries during the summer months, with research showing that kids who keep the reading habit through the long vacation do better when they return to school. Themes are locally developed, sometimes on a statewide basis, with a number of states cooperating on common themes, for children, young adults, and adults.

Here is a sampling of our resources:

• Tips and Resources for Parents
• Recommended Reading Lists for Kids and Parents from the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
• Bibliography/Resources for Librarians
• Booklists & Book Awards from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

For tips on using books for specific themes, consider subscribing to the new online newsletter from the editors of Booklinks, Book Links Quick Tips. Quick Tips highlights one theme in each monthly issue, from poetry to mysteries to picture books, with ideas for connecting children and books. Sign up for Quick Tips at www.ala.org/booklinks.

And don't forget public relations–now's the time to get started on that, too!

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