Library’s Summer Reading program sets new records

Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) broke every record for its Summer Reading program this year. More than 43,000 Jefferson County residents participated in this year’s reading challenge, up 20.3 percent from 2016. And Jeffco residents read more than 37 million minutes, well above the 30-million-minute goal, and up 34.5 percent compared to 2016!

“We’re thrilled with the growing level of participation in our Summer Reading program,” said Pam Nissler, executive director, JCPL. “This program helps to create a culture of reading in Jefferson County, while helping kids maintain grade-level proficiencies over the summer.

“In fact, 87 percent of parents and guardians who responded to a 2016 Summer Reading survey reported that their children maintained or increased their reading skills over the summer,” Nissler continued. “Our goal is to see that number increase every year as well.”
This year, the Library’s Summer Reading program included special incentives, thanks to contributions from the Library Board of Trustees and the Jefferson County Library Foundation. Participating Jeffco schools competed for five $800 prizes to support their school library or a literacy program in their school. Adult participants were entered into a random prize drawing, and the Library issued a community-wide challenge: read a collective 30 million minutes, and the Foundation will give Foothills Animal Shelter $500 to support its efforts at finding animals forever homes. As a result, Jeffco readers not only improved their reading skills; they also helped to build a better world in Jefferson County.

Five schools – one in each pre-defined category – won an $800 prize for having the highest percentage of program finishers, compared to their enrollments. (A finisher is someone who completes 32 activities for preschool-aged children or eight hours of reading for kids and teens).

The winners are:

  • Bergen Meadow Preschool;
  • Dennison Elementary;
  • Bell Middle School;
  • Wheat Ridge High School; and
  • Doral Academy of Colorado.

Lakewood resident Sally Boyd received a one-year membership to several Colorado attractions in a random prize drawing for adult participants. And Foothills Animal Shelter will receive $500 to further its mission of providing the best possible care to every animal that enters its doors.

“We are so excited that Jefferson County met (and surpassed) its collective reading goal of 30 million minutes,” said Jessi Burns, Marketing & Communications Manager for Foothills Animal Shelter. “We care for more than 9,200 animals each year and donations like this ensure we can continue to give essential medical, behavioral and life-saving care to homeless pets in our community.”

“I couldn’t be prouder of Library staff and Jefferson County residents,” Nissler added. “This is a great example of what we can accomplish when we join together to achieve a common goal!”

Summer Reading 2017 fun facts:

  • 3,916 babies “read” 2,053,010 minutes
  • 19,086 children read 10,896,665
  • 8,440 teens read 6,267,520 minutes
  • 12,424 adults read 17,863,351 minutes

Photo opps:

  • Check presentations
    • Friday, Aug. 25 – Doral Academy, 9050 Field Street, Westminster, CO. 2 – 2:30 p.m.
    • Friday, Sept. 22 – Bergen Meadow Preschool, 1892 Bergen Parkway, Evergreen, CO 80439, 9 – 9:30 a.m.