The California Library Association (CLA) and the Re(a)d Zone are providing grants to support outreach strategies for promoting Summer Reading. The amount between $750 - $1,000 will be determined by CLA based on other funding commitments. The Library has not received this particular grant previously, but has received funding from the Re(a)d Zone for programs and services at the Pittsburg Library. Funds from this grant will be used to launch Summer Reading 2016 at the El Pueblo and DeAnza Gardens public housing developments in Pittsburg and Bay Point. The Library will hire professional performers for events in early June at community centers located in the housing developments in order to get the families excited about participating in the Summer Reading game that emphasizes reading and participation in STEM learning opportunities. Library staff will continue to visit the community centers on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Providing the almost 1,000 children in residence at the two centers a no-cost opportunity to participate in Summer Reading will combat "summer slide", which puts children at risk for falling behind in school.

Outreach Summer Reading launch events will still be provided, if possible, but the grant funding will allow for more outreach events serving the greatest number of underserved children, teens and families.

This project supports two of the community outcomes established in the Children's Report Card: Children Ready for and Succeeding in School and Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood. Studies consistently show that participation in summer reading programs impacts school success and combats summer slide, which is the loss of skills that occur between school years. Children who do not read at home are not ready to succeed in school and each year they slip further behind their classmates and are less likely to graduate. Succeeding in school and graduating prepares our young people to become productive adults ready to contribute positively to their communities.