This summer, we encourage readers of all ages to dig below the surface and discover everything from the science of everyday things, to the envisioning of the future, discovering other cultures, peering into nature and the environment, delving into the unknown and exploring a treasury of knowledge.

In partnership with iREAD Summer Reading, library programs will include activities, crafts, reading lists, incentives, and much more for children, teens, and adults.

The benefits of summer reading are clear. National research finds that students who participate in library summer reading programs scored higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year than those who did not participate. The mission at DoD-MWR libraries is to provide the resources and experiences to bridge this summer gap, while inspiring literacy and life-long learning.

Due to the COVID-19 environment, Dig Deeper will be offered virtually at 26 installation libraries across the USMC with the opportunity to earn incentives for reaching increasing levels of reading minutes.  Please check with your installation library for their virtual programming schedule, projects, crafts and events. Please register through your installation library’s Beanstack site to record your reading minutes.  

MCB Quantico and MCB South Carolina will be offering the DoD Virtual Summer Reading Program, through 31 August. This program offers an entry into weekly drawings for recording reading minutes. Sign up at www.DoDVirtualSRP.org.

Quantico and South Carolina patrons should look for an announcement for a Reading Program at your installation libraries to read towards the Dig Deeper incentives later in the year.

MCCS Libraries are working hard to adapt to a summer of 'social distancing' and to continue to present a summer reading program for all ages. iREAD is pleased to make available this free, abridged version of the 2020 Resource Guide for families to use while we are all stuck at home.

For more information, please contact your installation library or email MCCS Libraries at usmclibraries@usmc.mil

The benefits of summer reading are clear.

• National research from Dominican University finds that students who participate in public library summer reading programs scored higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year than those who did not participate.
• Parents of children enrolled in the library summer reading program reported that their children spent more time reading over the summer, read more books, were well prepared for school in the fall, and read more confidently.
• Young people experience learning losses when they don’t engage in educational activities during the summer. Research spanning 100 years shows that students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.  Libraries are part of the solution.
• To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. Summer Reading Club reminds kids that reading is for fun—as well as for learning.
• There’s so much to see, so much to do at your library! There’s no better place to take your kids.  The library is a place to learn, read, and have fun…a place the whole family can enjoy. In fact, more than 82 million children attend library programs every year.
• Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.
• The amount of time children spend reading outside of school is linked to gains in reading achievement. Numerous studies show that access to books and magazines is directly related to higher reading achievement.

Source: Dominican University IMLS-funded research: Public Library Summer Reading Programs Close the Reading Gap