The Vermont Department of Libraries supports the mission of local public libraries to provide quality programming for children, teens, and families. The Department sponsors an annual Summer Reading Program available to all Vermont public libraries to foster summer reading for youth of all ages. The Program encourages a love of reading, introduces new books and authors to expand children and teen leisure reading choices, and works to prevent the loss of reading skills during the summer months (the “summer slide”) when youth are out of school.
The Department is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a nation-wide organization collaborating with libraries to create and present inclusive literacy-based programs that are enjoyable for all ages. Each year CSLP shares this reproducible program with member organizations. The program features a unified theme, professional support services, and a rich variety of program and promotional materials and resources. Through the Department's membership, Vermont public libraries have access to CSLP's Summer Reading Program.
2025 CSLP Summer Reading Program, Color Our World™
Member libraries across the country chose the CSLP 2025 Summer Reading Program theme, Color Our World™. The theme reflects the idea that art "has the power to transform, uplift, and connect us. It allows us to see the world through different lenses, fostering empathy and understanding. The theme encourages libraries to embrace the beauty of art in all its forms, creating a colorful tapestry of experiences for everyone."
2025 Resources
- Summer Programming Grants
-
New in 2025: Rather than coordinating a summer reading supply order with the CSLP, the Department will award $350 for the 2025 Summer Programming Grants. Libraries may use Summer Programming Grant funds to either purchase supplies directly from CSLP (including themed apparel, incentives, and other products) or for other summer reading programming purposes. We encourage all libraires public libraries to apply for this grant! Please note: While $350 is being awarded to each eligible public library this year, future annual grant amounts may vary based on available funding. Applications are now open:
-
- CSLP Information and Materials
- 2024 CSLP Summer Symposium (12/5/24) Featuring the keynote, You Belong in Libraries with Mychal Threets, and an overview of Color Our World™ materials, programming seminars, marketing ideas, and inspiration.
- 2025 CSLP Color Our World™ programming manual: Through the Department's CSLP membership, Vermont public libraries have access to the programming manual, featuring resources, graphics, book lists, and more. To access the manual:
- Directly access the manual
- -or-
- Request the programming manual access code by emailing Jonathan Clark, the Department's Library Consultant for Children and Teen Services, or Lilly Talbert, the Department's Communications and Administrative Coordinator. Please do not share this code or post it in a publicly accessible location. Go to the CSLP Homepage, navigate to "Manual Downloads" in the top menu bar, and click on "2025 Color Our World". At the prompt, enter the access code.
2024 Summer Reading Program, Adventure Begins at Your Library™
Grant Reporting
The summer program reporting form opened at the end of August and the Department extended the reporting deadline to November 15, 2024. Reporting was mandatory for all libraries that received the 2024 Summer Programming Grant of $300 and/or the CSLP summer reading materials from the Department. We also wanted to hear from libraries that offered a summer reading program but did not use the CSLP theme and chose not to apply for grant funding. Libraries were able to use the Summer Programming Grant Report and Summer Reading Survey Preview to gather information to prepare for filling out the Summer Reading Program Reporting form.
2024 Resources
- Vermont Department of Libraries Summer Reading 2024 Information Session (3/15/24, YouTube,1 hour, 57 minutes)
- CSLP 2024 Summer Symposium webpage featuring videos, slides, and handouts from the 2024 Symposium (held 12/7/23) with a thorough overview of Adventure Begins at Your Library materials, as well as programming, marketing ideas, and inspiration.
- Beanstack Summer Reading Challenge Staff Preview is a duplicated version of what is offered to patrons. It guides users through how to participate in the challenge by logging their reading minutes and completing activity challenges to earn badges.
- The Department offered CSLP summer reading program incentives and promotional materials. Ordering is closed for 2024 materials. Libraries will directly purchase materials for 2025.
Additional Resources
- Vermont Library Association's Recommended Performer and Speaker List and Submission Form
- Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) website
- VT Authors/Illustrators Guide (2022)
- New England Youth Summits website and a New England library staff crowd-sourced Summer Programming Idea Swap Padlet with resources and program ideas.