Richard Reyes-Gavilan: Retooled summer reading program aims for inclusion

In our latest strategic plan, “Know Your Neighborhood,” the DC Public Library commits to “supporting new readers and cultivating a love of reading.” Considering all the different varieties of reading we now do every day, how ultimately do we define a reader in 2018?

The act of reading is more popular than ever when you factor the myriad ways in which we consume words. Without picking up a physical book or newspaper (the primary avenues for reading up until 20 years ago), an entire day can be and often is spent reading — tweets, emails and text messages, nevermind audiobooks, podcasts and the like. In years past, libraries incentivized reading through important enrichment programs that offered rewards for reading books. Summer reading programs — programs designed to minimize “summer slide” and encourage reading during the two months that kids are out of school — are probably the best known among them. Read books and win a prize. That’s great for book readers, but should libraries be more inclusive in its definition of a reader?

Inclusion is indeed a major area of focus for the DC Public Library, and therefore our answer to that question is “Yes.” Thinking back to my adolescence in Queens, N.Y., I might have best classified my younger self as a “reluctant reader” despite how much I enjoyed visiting libraries. English wasn’t my first language, and full-length books were intimidating, to say the least, but I loved dipping into parts of books at the library and now remember that in fact I did love to read. I just didn’t feel like a reader because I wasn’t reading longer works at the time.

I should pause here and stress that I’m not at all trying to downplay the importance of reading longer works of fiction and nonfiction. A 2016 Washington Post article cited studies that show that reading literary fiction actually “seems to boost the quality of empathy in the people who read it, their ability to see the world from another person’s eyes.” What we are stressing at the DC Public Library is that it is our job to motivate people to read and that by motivating people to read — almost anything — we are putting them on a path to being lifelong readers.

This year, the DC Public Library has retooled its traditional summer reading program to be more inclusive and reflective of the many ways in which people spend time reading. Our campaign, rebranded as “Summer Challenge: Read 20,” invites all residents to read 20 minutes a day, every day, with no restrictions and no judgment. The message is simple.

The DC Public Library’s Summer Challenge is built on the premise that adults and children who think of themselves as readers are more likely to be encouraged to read more. We want participants in the program to not only recognize themselves as readers even if they may not have previously, but also to align themselves with a community of readers that we at the DC Public Library interact with throughout the calendar year in reading programs such as DC Reads, local author talks, online book discussions and a wide variety of reading programs for residents of all ages. Ultimately, our goal is to increase resident participation with the DC Public Library. A 2014 British study discovered a significant association between frequent library use and overall happiness. So in a sense, all we’re trying to do is help make residents happy. Can you think of a more noble purpose?

Richard Reyes-Gavilan is executive director of the DC Public Library.