MY SUMMER LIBRARY

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My Summer Library

Improving Third Grade Reading Proficiency

The My Summer Library program coordinated by the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona represents a targeted approach to reach children in Pima County and southern Arizona who attend elementary schools that are working to improve educational outcomes. The goals of My Summer Library are to improve 3rd-grade reading proficiency, build students’ home libraries and mitigate summer reading loss.

My Summer Library works to accomplish its goals by increasing access to free age-appropriate books for young students (prekindergarten to second grade) so they can build a home library, practice their literacy skills and develop a love of reading in the comfort of their home. My Summer Library also helps in mitigating summer learning loss. By making books available to keep in the home, developing literacy skills can continue through the summer break.

2023 My Summer Library Schools

Ajo Unified School District:

Ajo Elementary, Ajo, 85321

Amphitheater Unified School District:

Holaway Elementary, Tucson, 85705
Prince Elementary, Tucson, 85715

Baboquivari Unified School District

Indian Oasis Elementary, Sells, 85634

Bureau of Indian Education Tohono O’odham Nation

San Simon Elementary, Sells, 85634

Flowing Wells Unified School District

Laguna Elementary, Tucson, 85705
Walter Douglas Elementary, Tucson, 85705

Marana Unified School District

Roadrunner Elementary, Marana, 85653

Sahuarita Unified School District

Sopori Elementary, Amado, 85645

Sunnyside Unified School District

Drexel Elementary, Tucson, 85706
Los Niños Elementary, Tucson, 85706

Tucson Unified School District

CE Rose K-8, Tucson, 85714
Lynn Urquides Elementary, Tucson, 85713
Maldonado Elementary, Tucson, 85746
Manzo Elementary, Tucson, 85745
Myers-Ganoug Elementary, Tucson, 85711
Oyama Elementary, Tucson, 85713
Grijalva Elementary, Tucson, 85746

For more than ten years My Summer Library has played a large role in supporting the development of early literacy skills. Participating children have the opportunity to select their own books – an aspect research studies have shown that is highly successfully in supporting children’s interest in reading. When children can choose to read what interests them, they are more likely to want to read. Additionally, parent surveys reveal that 30% of participating children are bringing books home to keep for the first time. In these cases, My Summer Library represents the first opportunity these students and families have to experience books in the home that they can keep, free of charge. Research has shown that access to books in the home can foster the love the literacy and the early skills needed to become fluent readers later in the elementary years, especially for under-resourced families.

Adopt a School!

Classrooms:

School classrooms are selected based on student demographics and the program is focused on areas with high need. Our littlest learners require big supports to create lasting change and pave the way for future educational success. Last year, we served 114 classrooms which included 2,212 children receiving 26,544 books.

Cost:

One classroom of 30 children will cost $1,800 to supply students with 12 books and a backpack.

Benefits: