Press Release: Baltimore Orioles And Maryland Science Center Partner With Public Libraries To Promote 2016 Summer Reading

On Your Mark, Get Set...Read!

For Immediate Release                                      Contact: William Reinhard, 410-767-0486

Baltimore, MD (July 25, 2016)

The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development and Services has announced the Summer Reading Program at Maryland Public Libraries. This year’s theme, On Your Mark, Get Set….Read!, focuses on young people’s passion for play through the exploration of sports, games, and movement through books, activities, science activities, art projects, and more.

The Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Science Center have joined MSDE as major partners in the drive to increase summer reading.

The Orioles donated 5,000 tickets to be given as awards to the young people who most fully participate in the library summer reading program throughout the state. The Orioles tickets are for games at Camden Yards on Tuesday, Aug. 2 and Wednesday, Aug.3. During a special ceremony on Aug. 3, the 2016 Summer Reading Representatives from each county library will be acknowledged on the field. 

The Maryland Science Center, a valuable partner in public libraries’ focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, donated one family pack of tickets to each public library location and mobile library in the state. Library staff will give the tickets to a family that includes a young person who is actively involved in the summer reading program.

Summer Reading is an essential part of building children’s vocabulary and preventing summer learning loss. Participation is simple and fun! Students choose the books they read and which educational programs or classes they would like to attend. They then track their progress using learning logs available free of charge at Maryland public libraries.

Each county library system tailors the program to their customers, so young people interested in participating should inquire at their local library. Many locations provide an online registration system. Last summer over 200,000 infants, children, and teens participated in the Maryland Public Library Summer Reading Program.

The program is a collaborative project between the local public libraries and the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Library Development and Services, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Maryland is a participating member of the national Collaborative Summer Library Program.

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