Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti encourages local parents, guardians and students to participate in the New York State Assembly’s annual Summer Reading Challenge, held in partnership with New York State Libraries.
The theme for the 2024 challenge is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” This theme was chosen to “encourage children to explore new worlds and fall in love with exciting characters and stories,” according to a press release from Sillitti’s office.
The challenge asks children to read a book on their own or with a caregiver for a minimum of 15 minutes a day for at least 40 days during July and August and mark off each day they have read on a provided calendar. Once they’ve completed 40 days or more, they should submit the calendar to Assemblywoman Sillitti’s office to receive a certificate in the mail. Young readers who complete the challenge will receive an Assembly Excellence in Reading certificate to celebrate their achievement.
It has been noted that students often experience a decrease in reading proficiency during summer break. Known as the “summer slide,” this phenomenon of regression can compound over multiple summers, requiring schools to apportion resources to help kids catch back up in the fall. Reading during the summer helps children prepare for the new school year and maintain their academic progress, and is a fun activity for students and families, Assemblywoman Sillitti noted.
Sillitti says that reading is important for children in New York as it opens their minds and inspires intellectual development.
“An exciting story can help introduce kids to new ideas and bring historical figures to life, and I want to do all I can to encourage young learners to continue reading during the summer months,” she said. “The Summer Reading Challenge is the perfect opportunity to foster a lifelong love of reading.”
You can pick up a summer reading log and coordinating bookmark at the following libraries:
The Port Washington Public Library (One Library Dr., Port Washington)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Great Neck Library – Main Branch (159 Bayview Ave., Great Neck)
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Great Neck Library – Station Branch (26 Great Neck Rd., Great Neck)
Monday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Great Neck Library – Parkville Branch (10 Campbell St., New Hyde Park)
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Bryant Library (2 Paper Mill Rd., Roslyn)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shelter Rock Public Library (165 Searingtown Rd. South, Albertson)
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9:30 am to 9 p.m. Wednesday: 11 am to 9 pm
Friday: 9:30 am to 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge, please visit nyassembly.gov/Sillitti or email SillittiG@nyassembly.gov or call Assemblywoman Sillitti’s office at 516-482-6966.
