Evaluating Our Impact: Summer Reading Program Cohort 2024-2025

The Mid-Hudson Library System Summer Reading Program Cohort members will evaluate their library’s current Summer Reading Program (SRP) by focusing on why they hold the SRP and evaluate current practices through dollars spent, organizational goals reached, and other specific aspects chosen by participants. This program spans April 2024 to September 2025. This cohort is open to all MHLS member library staff who plan, program, or promote their library’s Summer Reading Program. Multiple staff members from an individual library are welcome to attend as a team. This cohort has a limit of a total of 10 libraries participating.

If your library is interested in participating in the MHLS Summer Reading Cohort Program, please complete this application by March 29.  Questions can be directed to MHLS Outreach & EDI Specialist, Kerstin Cruger.

Timeline of Events

• March 29: Application Deadline
• April 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: 2-hour Education Session (In-person) (MHLS Auditorium, Poughkeepsie)
  • Rethinking Summer Reading workshop presented by Millbrook Library Director, Courtney Tsahalis. This 2-hour in-person session will provide an overview of summer reading research and trends and help library staff re-focus on how to set kids up for future success using real-world examples. There will be a discussion session for participants following the presentation.
• May: 2-hour Group Work Session (Online)
  • During this 2-hour session member library participants will outline specific aspects of their 2024 SRP they will evaluate.
• June: One-hour check-in session (Online)
  • This one-hour check-in session will solidify any evaluative plans for the 2024 SRP.
• September: 2-hour Group Work Session (Online)
  • This 2-hour session will focus on analyzing the collected assessment points from the library’s 2024 SRP.
• October: 2-hour Group Work Session (Online)
  • This 2-hour session will focus on outlining changes for the library’s 2025 SRP.
• January 2025: One-hour check-in session (Online)
  • This one-hour check-in session will focus on peer support during SRP planning.
• February 2025: One-hour check-in session (Online)
  • This one-hour check-in session will focus on peer support during SRP planning.
• September 2025: 2-hour Follow-up Session (Online)
  •  This 2-hour follow-up session will allow participating members to share the outcome of the changes made to their 2025 SRP and talk about next steps for future programs.