[CASL-L] Your Libraries, Your Summer: A review of summer 2025

[Kymberlee Powe]

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Your Libraries, Your Summer: A review of summer 2025

View your Summer Reading Stories!<https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=83331191>

View the State Summer Reading Infographic<https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=83331166>



Summer 2025 in the State of CT was one for the books. Data showed that libraries are offering more programs than before, and more residents are taking advantage of them. This year, This year 100 public libraries shared their summer reading data and libraries reported offering a combined 11,449 programs and activities with 316,836 attendees. The Summer of 2023 and 2024 averaged 7,699.5 programs and activities and 200,860 attendees culminating in an overall increase in activities and participants.



Libraries reported that their goals for the summer were to increase participation, awareness, and engagement in library activities over the summer. Many libraries wanted to strengthen connections to the community by collaborating with town departments and local organizations and bring people together. Overwhelmingly libraries wanted to promote a love and joy of reading and foster a culture of learning and make learning fun and accessible.



Because we know that numbers don’t always tell the whole story, open ended responses shared that libraries had great patron feedback and community engagement and saw strong participation in intergenerational and family programming and repeat visits. Libraries offered pop-up libraries, messy art programs, Mini Renaissance Fair, storytimes at farms, and so much more! Many libraries also saw a rise in adult participation in summer programming as well.



Libraries used summer programming to visit and partner with a variety of local and state organizations. As we’re familiar with, many libraries visited their local schools and daycares to promote their various summer reading programs. Some libraries ran book tastings, created reading packets that aligned with school curricula, hosted summer reading pep rallies at schools, created and shared summer reading promotional videos, and virtual and physical flyers.



Libraries worked with a wide range of local partners such as their Parks and Recreation departments, historical societies, police and fire departments, and local organizations. Libraries were able to tap into their local businesses for prizes such as gift cards, coupons, and donations. Groups like CT Humanities and library Friends groups were able to provide funding to allow for author visits, library kickoffs, finales, and incentives.



View your Summer Reading Stories!<https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=83331191>

View the State Summer Reading Infographic<https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/ld.php?content_id=83331166>

CT State Library is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

© 2016 CT State Library. All rights reserved.





Best,

Kym

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Kymberlee Powe | Children and YA Consultant | Kymberlee.Powe at ct.gov<mailto:Kymberlee.Powe at ct.gov> | Office: (860) 704-2221 | https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/children | 786 S. Main St. Middletown, CT 06457| Fax: (860) 704-2228

 Book time with Kymberlee Powe<https://outlook.office365.com/bookwithme/user/846dc12dc15d4c3186c320aa69a2abfa@ct.gov?anonymous&ep=pcard>
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