Reading Adventures for Youth and Adults

Summer Reading Matters to FCPL! 

Fairfax County Public Library understands the importance of summer reading. Summer learning loss, or the summer slide, is when children forget learned reading skills because they are no longer using them regularly. This can have detrimental, long-term effects when children return to school in the fall. 

Reading and participating in engaging reading activities throughout the summer are two effective ways to combat summer learning loss. Our Youth Summer Reading Adventure can help children retain reading skills and foster a love for the library!

Goals of FCPL's Youth Summer Reading Adventure:

• Combat summer learning loss, or the summer slide, by engaging youth in reading and reading-related activities during the summer.  
• Foster a love of reading through public library programs and services.
• Increase library use during out-of-school time and “hook” youth to come back during the school year. 
• Promote curiosity, lifelong learning and personal enrichment.

If you want to learn more about importance of reading during the summer, check out these articles:

• Kids & Family Reading Report: The Summer Reading Imperative (Scholastic)
• Replacing the Summer Slide With a Summer Reading Adventure (Fairfax County Public Library)
• Summer Reading White Paper (Collaborative Summer Library Program)
• The Value of Summer Reading (California Summer Reading Program)

Should Adults Participate in Summer Reading?

Absolutely! We want to involve adults in the summer reading experience. It promotes adult literacy and encourages people to interact with the library in different ways. Plus, adults like reading books, attending engaging summer events and receiving prizes, too! We are committed to ensuring all community members have positive library connections and experiences.