At the CHILIS Spring Conference, CHILIS members voted to join the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a national summer reading program that includes 48 states. CHILIS will begin its membership beginning with the 2010 summer reading program. Membership in CSLP will offer participating NH libraries manuals for both children's and teen's summer reading programs as well as the opportunity to buy low-cost bookmarks, posters, certificates and other incentives.
Before the vote, discussion centered on the advantages and disadvantage of joining a national collaborative. Members praised the work and dedication of the NH Summer Reading Committee, which has developed a statewide program since 1990. The NH Summer Reading Program has showcased the work of NH illustrators such as Chris Demarest, True Kelley, Tomi dePaola, Marty Kelley, Tracy Carrier, and Karel Hayes--to name a few.
The NH Summer Reading Committee will still meet to choose the Kids, Books and the Arts Roster, to plan the SRP kick-off at the conference and to develop NH-related summer reading activities to complement the national theme. In addition, the committee's reduced responsibilities will allow members to work on other important CHILIS projects both old and new.
In the meantime, the 2009 NH Summer Reading Program--"Summertime...and the Reading is Easy" is well underway. Children's librarians around the state are looking forward to celebrating the joys of summer and of reading with their communities by developing fun programs and activities. For more information on this year's SRP, check the CHILIS website.