Importance of Summer Programs & Services
Maryland Public Libraries participate in statewide, annual summer library programs as part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program consortium (CSLP), individualized by county. Summer library programs help enrich the lives of Maryland youth and families during the summer months, when schools are not in session, but providing opportunities for reading, exploring new interests, and learning about different cultures and life experiences though library collections, resources, programs, partnerships, and services.
Maryland Summer Services Impact
Maryland Public Libraries strive to foster a love of reading and learning for all ages through their summer reading programs. Maryland libraries have seen steady participation in their summer programs during the last several years. In addition to youth programs, most library systems also offer adult summer reading programs, encouraging lifelong learning, a sustained love of reading, and family engagement for those adults who participated in the library program with their children.
Over 505,000 Maryland youth attended library summer programming in 2023. Public libraries reached approximately 109,00 youth and families through outreach programs in their communities through a variety of community partnerships, including farmer’s markets, community fairs, health clinics, faith-based organizations, and early childcare providers. Strong participation by youth in summer library programs and other library summer programming, as well as library outreach programs, are strong indicators of sustained learning readiness in preparation for the next school year.