Ten years of summer reading success: the eastern and central reading encouragement and development network (E.C.READ'N).

• Author: Green, Sandy

An incentive based themed reading program for children 2-11 years, organised by a committee with members drawn form the participating libraries. Over 9000 children will take part in the 2006/07 program, plus 1000 in a young adult reading program. Research has been published on the outcomes of the program. The winter warmers reading program is also organised by the committee. Paper presented at Learning futures conference, Adelaide SA 9-10 March 2007.

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The summer reading program is a family orientated, noncompetitive, incentive based reading program for children from preschool to preteen, which is available free of charge in libraries. The E.C.READ'N summer reading program aims to

* interest, encourage and stimulate children to enjoy reading

* increase reading skills in the widest sense, including communication and creativity and thus develop self esteem

* encourage caregivers to become involved with their children's reading at home--one of the most powerful tools for creating life long learners

* encourage children to become regular library users by fostering positive relationships between families and public libraries and librarians.

History

Masterton, Hastings and Napier libraries in the north island of New Zealand were running separate summer reading programs using a format based on programs run in the US. Thought had been given to producing a New Zealand program and making this more widely available. In November 1996 an opportunity arose, through the Eastern and Central Community Trust, to apply for funding to implement a regional summer reading program. At the same time an application for a library study award, the G T Alley award, to study USA based programs, by Sandy Green the Masterton District Library children's librarian, had been approved.

The Eastern and Central Community Trust was formed in 1988 after the sale of the New Zealand Trust Banks to the Australian bank Westpac. The trust administers the funds from the sale and distributes NZ$5 million annually to community groups within the eastern and central region. Each applicant is only able to receive one grant per year. The 23 libraries in the region had been making regular applications to the trust for funding for projects and library collections and materials. The trust had found the administration of this difficult and also felt that the funding was not being distributed equitably. Some small libraries were not making applications, while others were receiving funding regularly.

The trust is based in Hastings and approached the local Hastings Library with a proposal to fund a project that would have benefits for all the libraries. Library managers were asked to submit ideas for this funding. The trust selected the summer reading program from a list that included technology and large print collections.

A proposal and budget was prepared by the three libraries on behalf of the 23 libraries. Support of $129,000 for the development and implementation of a program was approved and the first New Zealand regional reading program was launched. $81,000 was allocated to develop and deliver the first program, with the balance for a seminar to be attended by library managers and children's library staff from all the libraries in the region.

The proposal to the trust, the budget and the proposed format for the program were presented to the seminar. The commitment given to the other libraries at the meeting was that all of the materials, funding and information required to run the program in their libraries would be supplied through the committee--their commitment would be to provide the staff. The library managers were asked for their commitment to participate, and all 23 committed to their participation. Part of the proposal was to form a committee of members from those attending the seminar.

A committee of seven was formed. The committee now operates under the name E.C.READ'N, (Eastern & Central Reading Encouragement and Development Network). A logo was commissioned in 2000

The first program was delivered in 1997/1998 by 21 of the 23 libraries. Over the next two years the program was introduced at all 23 libraries.

Most of the individual libraries serve small communities and some are only open for limited hours or have one full time staff. The distance between the most northern library, and the most southern is seven hours driving time or 500kms. Hastings and Napier are the most central locations and committee meetings and events are usually held in those cities.

The E.C.READ'N summer reading program format

* children enrol for the program and receive a kit to record their reading progress and information outlining the program in their library and the requirements to participate and complete the program

* a contract agreeing to spend time together reading each day is signed by the caregiver and the child. The reading can be shared, individual or group reading

* children commence reading from a given date and read books from the public library for the next six weeks

* participants report to library staff four times over the six weeks to complete the program and qualify to attend the finale

* at each report in, children receive a small incentive, a theme related activity sheet, and one of the four stickers required to qualify for completing the program

* a program of events and fun activities is available throughout the six weeks. These include storytellers, magicians, puppeteers and activity workshops

* children completing the program are presented with a certificate, a medallion and a book at a finale party organised to celebrate their achievements.

E.C.READ'N Committee objectives

1 Ensure libraries provide the program free of charge.

2 Develop a noncompetitive program

3 Develop a strong theme with relevance to participants

4 Enable large and small libraries to deliver the same program

5 Make reading fun for all participants

6 Involve all 23 libraries and provide training and support

7 Maintain quality of program

8 Collate statistical outcomes

9 Evaluate the program

10 Administer finances

11 Provide a full program and financial report to the Eastern and Central Community Trust each year

12 Meet deadlines for supply of information and materials to libraries

Committee operations

Each year in November a graphic artist is commissioned to provide the artwork, according to a graphics brief prepared by the committee. It meets monthly in February, March, April and May to approve the graphics, select all the incentives and t shirts, organise the training seminar and a supplier for the books, prepare and approve the printing and arrange the supply of all the information and materials to the libraries.

Each committee member has several areas of responsibility to follow through with and report back. Meetings are usually two days as some members drive for up to three hours. Travel and accommodation costs are included in the budget.

The trust grant is made in total to the local government council of the library with financial responsibility. The library with financial responsibility is one of the committee member libraries and the committee administers and approves all payments and invoicing. A budget is prepared and managed by the committee which prepares a 50 page report for the trust, which includes the program and committee operations for the year, statistics, the numbers and budget for the next year, recommendations for the future, and evaluation comments. The committee owns four laptops, and each has an internet account.

The professional development opportunities for the committee members are far in advance of any that they may get in their small libraries or as a children's librarian. Each new committee member takes at least one year to become confident and informed of all the processes.

Committee members gain experience in

* financial management

* negotiation

* legal and copyright issues

* writing contracts, briefs and papers

* funding applications

* event organisation

* quality control

* evaluation

* research

* publishing

* translation

The professional development opportunities for committee members benefit their libraries and help to compensate for the time members are away from their workplace.

To meet the committee objectives

Each library receives a cash distribution for its display, programming and a finale entertainer. The cash distribution is allocated according to the numbers a library is registering and the library size and circumstances to ensure that all libraries can deliver the same quality program.

The library manager signs an agreement to deliver the program free of charge. They also agree to

* provide statistics and evaluations to the committee

* keep records and photographs of all their activities and the materials they produce

* accurately account for the funding they are given

* deliver the program according to the instructions in the manual.

A theme is chosen by the committee from ideas...