To ensure students and families have the support they need to make literacy a priority this summer, the Georgia Department of Education is working to get books in the hands of as many students as possible, through summer reading events, resources, and the donation of more than 100,000 books.
“Literacy is a top priority for my administration and a core focus in our agency’s strategic plan,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said.
“Summer reading is critically important for maintaining and growing reading abilities, so we strongly urge every Georgia student to read this summer. However, we didn’t want to make that recommendation without providing the resources to make it a reality – and I’m grateful that, with the help of many generous partners, we’ll be able to get books into the hands of Georgia’s kids this summer. I also encourage students and parents to go to their local library and take advantage of the resources they have available and read all throughout the summer.”
Students can visit summerreading.gadoe.org to log the books they read this summer. We’ll keep track of books read and recognize winning students, schools, and districts.
Georgia’s public libraries also have summer reading programs and activities throughout the summer, and we encourage students to utilize this resource and sign up for a library card. Click here to find your local library.
For those who have access to a digital device, students also have access to more than 10,000 free e-books all summer, thanks to a partnership between myON and Get Georgia Reading. Visit getgeorgiareading.org/myon2016 for directions on how to access these books.
Thanks to a partnership with Change 4 Georgia, Better World Books, and Scholastic, the GaDOE is donating 100,000+ books to Georgia students this summer. Of that total, 25,000 books will go to Georgia’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, community centers that operate outside of school hours, including during the summer. The remainder will be distributed through the Georgia Food Bank Association and other organizations, as well as through summer reading events hosted by the GaDOE.
The GaDOE is hosting summer reading events for students at several public libraries throughout the state this summer. Members of the public are encouraged to attend these events, which will feature summer reading activities and programming along with an opportunity to receive free books
Thursday, June 2 in Macon – 10 to 11 a.m.
Washington Memorial Library
1180 Washington Avenue
Macon, GA 31201
Wednesday, June 15 in Dalton – noon to 1 p.m.
Dalton-Whitfield County Library
310 Cappes Street
Dalton, GA 30720
Friday, June 24 in Fitzgerald – 10 to 11 a.m.
Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Library
123 North Main St.
Fitzgerald, GA 31750
*This event will also feature information on summer meals through GaDOE and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
Friday, June 24 in Bainbridge – 1 to 2 p.m. (Bookmobile)
Bainbridge Middle School
1301 East College Street
Bainbridge, GA 39817
1:00 – 2:00 pm
The GaDOE’s summer reading events and initiatives are possible thanks to the collaboration of generous partners throughout the state, including Change 4 Georgia, the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, the Georgia Public Library Service, and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, a group of 120 middle and high school students from across the state, is helping to coordinate this summer’s events – so they are truly by students, for students.