PRINTER'S NO. 2028
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
406
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, BERNSTINE, BULLOCK, CALTAGIRONE,
EVERETT, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MILLARD, MURT, PASHINSKI, RYAN,
SCHWEYER, THOMAS AND WARREN, JUNE 16, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 16, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the months of June, July and August 2017 as "Summer
Reading Games Months 2017" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Libraries throughout this Commonwealth contribute to
the intellectual growth of children and teens during the summer
months through reading programs. According to the American
Library Association, summer reading programs began in the 1890s
as a way to encourage school children, particularly those in
urban areas who were not needed for farm work, to read during
summer vacation, use the library and develop a habit of reading;
and
WHEREAS, Summer reading programs attract children and teens
to libraries where they can participate in reading and cultural
activities. Children and teens benefit from summer programs that
combine elements of youth development principles with academic
enrichment; and
WHEREAS, Visiting local libraries provides children with
access to unlimited amounts of reading materials; and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
WHEREAS, Studies done by researchers at Johns Hopkins
University in Baltimore, Maryland, show that disadvantaged youth
fall significantly behind other students because of a lack of
access to reading materials and a loss of encouragement in the
home and elsewhere to participate in any reading. Such a drop-
off of reading outside of the school year results in achievement
gaps not only in school, but also later in life. Communities
that offer summer reading encourage youth to develop reading as
a lifelong habit, draw in reluctant readers through activities,
help ensure children, particularly those in disadvantaged homes,
to read during the summer months to maintain and increase
reading skills and generate interest in free public libraries
and the services they offer; and
WHEREAS, Schools and public librarians throughout this
Commonwealth and the nation have cooperatively produced summer
reading lists to enhance both learning and recreation. Library
officials in Pennsylvania have worked with their counterparts
from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa and
the Mariana Islands through the Collaborative Summer Library
Program (CSLP) to provide high-quality summer reading program
materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their
public libraries. The CSLP annually establishes themes for
summer reading. This year's theme is "Build a Better World"; and
WHEREAS, Support of summer reading programs give all library
users an opportunity to become lifelong readers and learners by
visiting the library frequently. In fact, the Johns Hopkins
University and other studies have shown that those who increase
their reading have greater success in school and in the job
market, while those who have difficulty with reading may have a
greater risk of failing in the job field and turning to crime;
20170HR0406PN2028 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
months of June, July and August 2017 as "Summer Reading Games
Months 2017" in Pennsylvania to encourage all children and teens
in this Commonwealth to participate in all summer library
reading programs and to compete in games and other competitions
established by the libraries and other groups to increase summer
reading; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize all
libraries in Pennsylvania for the summer reading programs that
they offer and urge all State lawmakers, parents and community
leaders to assist, fully support and otherwise get involved in
programs to promote lifelong reading at home and elsewhere by
our children, youths and adults.
20170HR0406PN2028 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14