County Public Library Patrons Read More Than 38,000 Books

How many books can Collier County residents read in eight weeks? Well, those participating in the Collier County Public Library's "Oceans of Possibilities" Summer Reading Program read more than 38,000 books.  

The Collier County Public Library launched the summer reading program on June 1, encouraging patrons to read books (be it hardcover, eBook or audiobook) or participate in online library programs.   

2,861 patrons (341 adults, 404 teens and 1,857 kids) registered for the 2022 summer reading program. Patrons participating in the summer reading program read 38,335 books (4,300 adults, 2,081 teens, 31,954 kids) between June 1, when the program started, and July 30, the day the program ended. Students from over 50 schools in Collier County participated in the summer reading program.

In addition, Library staff brought the Summer Reading Program to summer camps within the County, where student campers read books independently and participated in ocean-themed activities.

One of the ongoing goals of the program is to help community members stop the "Summer Slide," a term coined to stop the loss of academic skills and knowledge among children who are out of the classroom during the summer. 

Reversing the "Summer Slide" is critical as summer learning loss accounts for two-thirds of the ninth-grade achievement gap in reading, per the National Summer Learning Association. Reading has also been found to be a crucial tool in maintaining a child's education interest.

The book count by branch was as follows:

• East Naples Branch –577 youth/455 adults.
• Estates Branch – 6,782 youth/395 adults.
• Golden Gate Branch –3,376 youth/640 adults.
• Headquarters Regional Branch –13,833 youth/805 adults.
• Immokalee Branch –3,759 youth/240 adults.
• Marco Island Branch – 1,436 youth/205 adults.
• Naples Regional Branch – 808 youth/275 adults.
• South Regional Branch – 2,133 youth/850 adults.
• Vanderbilt Beach Branch – 1,241 youth/435 adults.

The Collier County Public Library would like to thank the Friends of the Library of Collier County for supporting the 2022 “Oceans of Possibilities” Summer Reading Program.

For more information, contact the Collier County Public Library at 239-252-7350 or visit us online at collierlibrary.org.