City of Worcester Reads Over 1.5 Million Minutes

Thursday, August 23, 2018

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

City of Worcester reads over 1.5 million minutes

The City of Worcester has collectively read over 1.5 million minutes as part of the Worcester Public Library’s 2018 Summer Reading Program.

The program encouraged people of all ages to read during the summer months, with a focus on encouraging kids and teens to read for 20 minutes a day.

“The summer reading program is an important initiative that is designed to reach kids and teens during school vacation months. On average, students who do not read over the summer lose two months of reading skills. By grade six, students who have experienced summer learning loss over the years are an average of two years behind their peers,” said the Worcester Public Library in their press release.

The Program

This year, there were 2,147 total participants. The program ran for nine weeks, from June 16 – August 18, 2018, with patrons signing up to log their minutes, participate in events and activities, and win prizes.

The theme this year was Libraries Rock! and featured music-related events and programs.

Supporters of the program included City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., Police Chief Steven M. Sargent, Che Anderson and Amy Peterson of Pow! Wow! Worcester, Tim Garvin of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, and Amy Chase of Crompton Collective.