Library Card Signups Increase Significantly Countywide

SAN BERNARDINO >> Libraries countywide successfully participated in Vision2Read’s Summer Reading Challenge to increase library card signups and encourage more children and adults to read this summer. During the month of May, libraries throughout San Bernardino County increased library card signups by 14.5 percent with 9,036 cards issued in May compared to 7,892 issued in May 2015. “Reading is the coolest thing you can do this summer so we are thrilled so many more of our residents throughout the county are taking advantage of our libraries and what they have to offer,” said James Ramos, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. Throughout the summer, libraries are offering amazing programs and activities and giving away rewards for meeting reading challenges. Summer reading programs help to avoid a loss of reading skills that can occur during breaks in the academic school year. Vision2Read, a year-long literacy initiative of the Countywide Vision project, aims to raise the bar on literacy in the county by focusing on the importance of reading, connecting people who need help or who can help to literacy resources. Sixty-nine percent of San Bernardino County third graders do not meet new California English language arts and literacy standards and 32 million adults nationwide cannot read. Literacy has an impact on a number of elements in our community such as jobs and the economy, education, public safety and wellness. When literacy skills are nurtured and encouraged, children and adults can reach their potential, the local economy can continue to prosper and the county will have a more educated workforce to attract employers to the region.