Library encourages summer reading

Summer is the time many people think about catching up on that best-selling title they just haven’t gotten to read yet, or taking a good book with them on vacation.

In an effort to reward people’s good reading habits and hopefully spark more interest in reading as a hobby, the Oshkosh Public Library is again sponsoring a summer reading program for children, teenagers and adults. And spurring interest in books is important as national research shows the percentage of adults reading literature has dropped over the last two decades.

The library’s summer program has participants of all ages turn in special tickets if they read 20 minutes a day, every day of the week. The turned in tickets then are entered into drawing for prizes such as books and gift certificates from local businesses.

“It’s reading something every day,” said Laurie Magee head of children and family outreach services. “We don’t care what you read, that’s what summers are for.”

Participation is highest among children, with over 1,000 signed up for the children’s reading program. Over 150 teens and more than 450 adults also signed up for the program. But, said Susan Belsky, a reference librarian and coordinator of the adult program, those interested can still sign up. The program ends Aug. 13.

Developing reading habits, Magee said, is important.

“You’ll get nowhere in life if you can’t read,” said Oshkosh resident Ann Smith, who was at the library recently to pick out more books with her son for the summer reading program.

According to the “Reading at Risk” report released in June by the National Endowment for the Arts, the number of adults in the U.S. reading literature has held steady at about 96 million since 1982. But given the increase in population, the percent of adults reading literature dropped from almost 57 percent in 1982 to almost 47 percent in 2002.

The report also shows that the percentage of literature readers from all education levels has also decreased since 1982. Literature reading is still higher among adults with some college education or a college-level or higher degree.

For the adult participants, Belsky said she’s surprised at the title that many readers are picking.
“You wouldn’t think that still that many people were reading novels or serious novels,” she said. “They aren’t just reading John Grisham and Danielle Steele.”

Since participants can turn in reading recommendations, Belsky noted that some are reading books like the John Adams biography or classic titles like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

And, Belsky said, having the reading program can help re-expose residents to the library.
“We get people in here who say ‘I haven’t been in the library in years and years.’ It’s important for them to know how to use the library,” Belsky said. “It’s your continuing education and entertainment source.”