Kansas Office of the Governor
TOPEKA, Kan-About 40 Kansas children joined Governor Sam Brownback today for story time at the Kansas State Library to help him kick off the third annual Read Kansas Read.
The statewide summer reading program is a collaborative effort by the Governor’s Office, Kansas Book Festival, Kansas State Library and the Kansas State Department of Education to challenge Kansas children to read while they aren’t in school.
“Students work hard to improve their literacy skills during the school year,” Governor Brownback said. “Without that structured classroom environment during the summer, however, many students don’t spend enough time reading consistently to maintain their skills. Read Kansas Read aims to change this by encouraging children to read for fun throughout the summer.”
First Lady Mary Brownback, State Librarian Jo Budler, Early Literacy Coordinator Anna Foote, and State Education Deputy Commissioner Brad D. Neuenswander joined the Governor for the launch of the summer reading program.
State Librarian Budler said the State Library is using its library network to encourage local library participation.
“The State Library is proud to work alongside Governor Brownback and the Kansas Department of Education to encourage summer reading. In 2013, Kansas libraries had more than 97,000 children and teens participate in summer reading programs and I hope that we have even more visit their library and make reading a priority this year.”
In September, the Governor and First Lady will recognize the top readers in each age group in the seven library regions as “Notable Kansas Readers” at an awards ceremony held at the Kansas Book Festival in September. All participating libraries will be entered to receive by random drawing a $500 grant from the Kansas Book Festival.
“The mission of the Kansas Book Festival is to promote literacy and a life-long love of reading among all Kansans, and the Read Kansas Read program is an excellent way to do just that,” said First Lady Mary Brownback. “Learning doesn’t end when school recesses for the summer, and Kansas libraries play an important role in this program. The book festival is honored to recognize the winning library with a $500 prize.”
Governor Brownback said children interested in participating can sign up at the local library or download their own book-tracking form from the program’s website, www.ReadKansasRead.ks.gov. All reading logs are due by August 11.