SC New York News

Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies. This week’s column is titled "Help make this summer a page-turner."

Former First Lady Laura Bush once said, “I have found the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card." Similarly, former President Harry Truman noted, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”

This summer, Senator O'Mara joins colleagues in the State Senate and partners with the New York State Library and local libraries to promote summer reading. The theme for this year is “Adventure Begins at Your Library,” emphasizing the lifelong value of reading and recognizing the important role of libraries.

Studies indicate that children who read during summer achieve greater academic gains than those who do not. Notably:

- Students can lose up to 25 percent of their reading level over the summer.

- Children who don’t engage in summer reading lose approximately two months of instructional time.

- By sixth grade, children who lose reading skills during summer are about two years behind their peers.

Scholastic’s “Kids & Family Reading Report” highlights these concerns. Scholastic President and CEO Peter Warwick stated, “The data is alarming -- fewer children today identify as frequent readers, and reading frequency plummets as kids age. And yet, there’s beauty in the data as it shows how access to books and a community of reading role models can bolster excitement for reading in a child’s life.”

Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” Summer reading has been shown to foster positive mental health in children and young adults.

Senator O'Mara supports efforts by the New York State Library and public libraries statewide. He encourages participation in the Senate’s online summer reading program available on his website www.omara.nysenate.go.

Scholastic emphasizes letting young readers choose their books (91% say they finish books they pick themselves), encouraging them to read four or more books, and providing easy access to books. Libraries play a crucial role in providing these resources.

Southern Tier and Finger Lakes libraries sponsor various activities and events. Information on member libraries can be found at www.stls.org for Southern Tier counties (Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates) and www.fls.org for Finger Lakes counties (Seneca, Tioga).

A reading list remains one of the most effective ways to ensure children have a productive start to their summer.